Robert Hervey Lafferty

Dr. Robert Hervey Lafferty III, 74, died June 6, 2021, in his Pleasure Heights home with his family beside him. He was born Aug. 28, 1946, in Charlotte, N.C., to Robert H. Lafferty Jr., and Lillian Camangi, both of whom preceded him in death. Bob is survived by his wife, Kathleen Hess, of the home; two daughters, Sophia Lafferty-Hess and husband, Joshua White, of Durham, N.C., and Emily Woolwine and husband, Dave Woolwine, and granddaughter, Lilah Woolwine, all of Carmel, Ind.; one sister, Caroline Koons and husband, Joe Henderson, of Albuquerque, N.M. Bob grew up in Oak Ridge, Tenn., where his father worked as a chemist on the Manhattan Project. He obtained a Ph.D. in Anthropology with a focus in Archeology from Southern Illinois University in 1977. In 1983, he and his wife established their company, Mid-Continental Research Associates (MCRA). Bob was a modern-day Renaissance man. He loved to read, had an encyclopedic memory, and created art in numerous media. He was proud to proclaim himself a Vietnam veteran having served as a Second Lieutenant in the Army Corps of Engineers. Arrangements are by Backstrom-Pyeatte Funeral Home in Springdale. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Michael J. Fox Foundation (michaeljfox.org), or a charity of your choice (Charitywatch.org). Burial in National Cemetery in Fayetteville, with military honors. A celebration of life will be held in late summer, date TBA.