Robert Clay Ellis

Robert Clay Ellis, 85, of Fayetteville, Ark., died May 28, 2014. Bob, as he was known to family and friends, son of the late Marjorie and Charles Ellis, husband of Barbara Walker Ellis, passed away after complications from cancer. He is survived by his wife, Bobbie; son, Stephen and wife, Crystal; and three grandchildren, Robert Clay Ellis II, Edgar Turner Ellis and Evelyn Elizabeth Ellis; and daughter, Elizabeth (Betse). He is also survived by a brother, William Woodrum Ellis and wife, Joan, and two children, son, Gregory and wife, Delores, and children, daughter, Maria and husband, Jeffrey, and children. He was professor emeritus of the University of Arkansas, having taught upper-level and graduate-level business administration courses from 1970 until his retirement at the end of 1994. A native of Jefferson City, Mo., Ellis' youth activities included membership in the Boy Scouts, where he discovered his love for sailing and swimming. He was active in both studies and sports at Jefferson City High School, lettering in football and swimming. Ellis attended the University of Missouri in nearby Columbia, receiving two degrees, an undergraduate bachelor of science degree in civil engineering and a graduate master of science degree in business administration. He was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the United States Air Force after earning his master's degree and served as an engineer in Korea during the Korean War. Upon returning to the U.S., Ellis worked as a salesman for a steel manufacturer in Missouri and then worked for the Federal Civil Defense in Missouri and Washington, D.C. He met Bobbie while they both worked in the Pentagon. Ellis also earned a doctor of business administration degree from the George Washington University during his time in D.C. Bobbie and Bob married in 1963 and subsequently moved to Oxford, Ohio, where he taught in the business school at Miami University and where both children were born. The family moved to Arkansas in 1970 when he was recruited by the business school at the University of Arkansas. Twice during his career, Ellis taught business courses in Europe, which helped ignite his enthusiasm for world travel. In addition, he was outspoken in improving the quality of education from elementary school through university programs. He taught after-school mathematics at Butterfield Trail Elementary. He served as president of the Butterfield Trail Elementary Parent-Teacher Association. He actively supported the School Orchestra Society in Fayetteville while both children participated in school orchestras. Ellis progressed in the university through teaching, and also served for a number of years as computer information systems and quantitative analysis department chair for the School of Business at the University of Arkansas. However, he was most proud of the teaching accolades he received from students during his tenure at Arkansas. Outside of his passion for teaching and education, Bob was at home on or in the water. Ellis was a charter member of the Beaver Lake Sailing Club. He won many trophies with his sailboat, "Golden Puff," with his family as crew. He also won many Arkansas State Championships in swimming with the Masters Swim Club at the University of Arkansas, and held multiple state and national records for his age group in swimming at various points in time. As avid opera fans, Bob and Bobbie held season tickets to the Tulsa Opera and traveled to attend operas in many of the world's best opera halls, including those in Prague, Barcelona, London and Vienna, among others. He was a connoisseur of fine art museums, fine restaurants and social beer halls, like the Hofbrauhaus in Munich, Germany. Ellis loved to sing and won several talent contests on cruise ships. Bob Ellis lived a full and fascinating life and will be fondly remembered and missed by his entire family and friends, including a number of lifelong friends. Nelson-Berna Funeral Home handled the cremation arrangements. To sign the online guest book, please visit www.nelsonberna.com.