STANFORD, Robert (Bob) L.

Arizona Daily Sun, Flagstaff, Arizona Sunday, June 27, 2010 Robert "Bob" L. Stanford, 73, died June 25, 2010. Mr. Stanford was born Nov. 19, 1936, in the Stanford farmhouse, Pottawattamie County, Okla., situated on land homesteaded by his paternal grandfather in 1902. He was the third son of Leland and Jewel Stanford, who had five boys. All of them learned the joys of milking cows, hoeing peanuts on dry farmland and raising blue-ribbon stock for the county fairs. Mr. Stanford attended a one-room school near their farm, sometimes riding a horse to school, if milking took too long or the boys missed the morning school bus. After graduation from Dale High School in Pottawatamie County, he attended Oklahoma State University, graduating with majors in entomology and animal husbandry. While at OSU, he was a member of the Meat's judging team, which placed third internationally at the Kansas City Stock show in 1956. He graduated summa cum laude. In 1958, he developed with his brothers and a friend the Sun-Vue Corporation in Plainview, Texas, a cotton consultant business. At this time in his life, Mr. Stanford and his wife, his college sweetheart, Mary Jane "Janie" Hessel, were busy raising their three children; serving in The First Methodist Church of Plainview, Texas; and working in the community as well. Also, at this time, he earned his master's degree in entomology from Texas Tech University in 1968. In 1969, he brought his knowledge, experience and energy to Arizona working for Bruce Church Corporation in Yuma for several years. Later, he began farming cotton on the south mesa of Yuma County. In 1981, Mr. Stanford was named the Cotton Consultant of the Year, a recognition given by National Cotton Farming magazine. The recognition was given to dedicated and astute cotton consultants highly regarded by both client and fellow workers who brought a higher level of professionalism and service to production technology in the area of insect control. He was the first to receive the recognition, which continues to acknowledge annually worthy consultants. In 1996, he and his wife retired to Flagstaff, where he loved Flagstaff, but not retirement. He is survived by his wife, Janie, of 52 years. Their marriage produced a life committed to the Lord and their children, Greg, who is married to Audrey, living in Paradise Valley; Steve, who is married to Debbie, living in Scottsdale; and Gena, who is married to Dan Jones and living in Las Vegas. He has nine grandchildren. Visitation will be Tuesday, June 29, from 5 to 8 p.m. at Norvel Owens Mortuary, 914 E. Route 66. A celebration of his life will be Wednesday, June 30, at Christ Church of Flagstaff, 3475 E. Soliere Ave., at 1 p.m. He was preceded in death by father and mother, his daughter-in-law, Deirdre, as well as many others. Those wishing to recognize Mr. Stanford and his contributions to life may do so through a memorial benefiting the New Horizons Christian Academy, an organization for young men that he believed in. Donations can made in Mr. Stanford's name through the website www.az teenchallenge.org or mailed to P.O. Box 3296, Flagstaff, AZ 86003. Those wishing to visit the online guest book and leave messages at www.norvel owensmortuary.com.