CARY, N.C. — Family and friends laid Col. Robert J. Poux Jr., 61, of Cary, N.C., to rest on Tuesday, Feb. 2, 2010, with full military honors at Sandhills State Veterans Cemetery, in Spring Lake, N.C., near his cherished 82nd Airborne Division at Fort Bragg. Robert passed away on Jan. 26, 2010.

Robert was the beloved husband for 39 years of Susan Christie of Erie; and the very proud father and father-in-law of Renee Poux Poole and Jay, Christine Poux Caserta and David, Robert J. Poux III and Stephanie, and Katherine Poux Neal and Christopher. Robert was the loving grandfather of four, Alex Anne and Kaylyn Poole, Michael Poux, and Ava Neal, with two more grandchildren due to be born this summer. He was the oldest son of Robert and Joan Poux of Titusville and the older sibling of Michael, Christopher, Clare Ann, Phillip, Danielle and Mary Andreé. All survive him. He enjoyed special relationships with his in-laws and numerous nieces and nephews on both sides of his family.

Originally from Titusville, Robert’s distinguished education and 25-year military career started with his graduation from Gannon University in Erie in 1970 and his completion of his master’s degree at Virginia Tech in 1972. His military career spanned the globe starting at Fort Polk, La., with the U.S. Army 5th Infantry Division. Following were assignments with the 82nd Airborne, where he earned air assault and jump master status as well as his Canadian jump wings. He also completed a long list of the Army’s specialty schools including Airborne, Ranger, Command and General Staff College and the Industrial College of the Armed Forces. In addition, he served two tours with the Army Medical Command at Fort Sam Houston, Texas, ultimately as the brigade commander and the chief of staff. His overseas assignments included the 8th Infantry in Bad Krueznach, Germany, during the rebuilding of the nation’s fighting forces in the 1980s. Robert’s command of the 177th Forward Support Battalion at the National Training Center in Fort Irwin, Calif., from 1988 to 1990 prepared our military for the recent Middle Eastern wars. During the 1990s, he served at the Pentagon, Office of the Surgeon General as well as with the United Nations during the Bosnian campaign.

Robert’s military career was shortened by cancer 13 years ago. Given a dire prognosis, he battled on, beating the disease, and was an example of the power of faith as well as courage. Bob’s faith in God and love of his family and friends was central to his life. Never was there a conversation that he didn’t speak with love and pride of the special gifts he felt at being blessed by the people that surrounded him; his wife, his children, his family, his friends and his fellow troopers.

Bob’s passion for hunting and the outdoors, and his Gannon University, Virginia Tech and Pittsburgh sports teams and the teams of his children’s college and high school alma maters never faded. The memories we have of Bob and the travels we enjoyed with him and his special family were all wrapped around these pastimes. The world is poorer but heaven is richer with his presence. Col. Robert J. Poux Jr. now answers the call to watch over us as the angels and saints sleep.

The family encourages any memorials be sent to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital at www.StJude.org or (800) 805-5856.