Robert Jesse Liddiard Jr

Robert Jesse Liddiard Jr.

RIVERDALE a€" Robert Jesse Liddiard Jr. died October 29, 2009. He was born April 5, 1941 to Robert Liddiard and Virginia Brook in Elmira, NY. He graduated from Elmira Academy in 1958.

Robert "Bob" attended Embry Riddle Aeronautical Institute located in Miami, FL and graduated with an Associate of Science (AS) Degree in 1961 and a Bachelor of Science (BS) Degree in 1962, in Aeronautical Engineering. His first love was airplanes and his passions were engines.

Bob worked for Pratt and Whitney in West Palm Beach, FL as an engineer on jet engines for many years. Bob had an outstanding memory to detail and critical analysis that any engineer would yearn for and many would try to emulate. Bob was involved in the SR-71''s J-58 engine development and test at Pratt and Whitney Company. While working for them on an afterburning fighter engine for the F-15 fighter, he survived an accident resulting in an entire test facility being demolished and Bob was called on to testify before the U.S. Congress about what happened.

In January of 1995 Bob had a heart attack and after receiving medical retirement, he moved to Salt Lake City to stay with his step-daughter, Jamie and grandson Ryan. Ryan will always have a special place in Bob''s heart. He soon after met Maritza who became the love of his life and they married in 1996. Their marriage was later solemnized for all eternity in the Salt Lake Temple.

Bob was a very sensitive, compassionate patriot and dog lover. He was active in the community and was a very giving man as evidenced by many, many acts of kindness. He was recently involved with the Aviation Museum at Hill Air Force Base as Project Coordinator of the B-29 Restoration.

Surviving are his wife Maritza Liddiard, children: Robert Jesse Liddiard III, Daniel Steven Liddiard, Timothy Lewis Liddiard; three adopted daughters: Cathy, Sandy and Tracy, seven step-children: Ron, Gregg, Jeanine, Sherrie, Curtis, Jamie and Rashell; his baby brother Brooks and many grandchildren, nieces and nephews. As well as his four-legged friends, Maxwell, Tigger, Pete and Pierre.

Preceded in death by his parents and son Karl David Liddiard.

Memorial services will be held Saturday, November 7, 2009 at 5 p.m. at Lindquist''s Layton Mortuary, 1867 N. Fairfield Road.

In lieu of flowers family suggest donations be made to the Hill Air Force Base Museum, B-29 Restoration.