Robert Neil Braswell

Robert N. Braswell, son of Homer and Irene Braswell, passed away on September 26, 2022, at Tallahassee Memorial Hospital. Dr. B, as his students often called him, passed peacefully and gently with his adoring family by his side to send him off with stories, tears, laughter, gratitude, and reverence. Dr. Braswell’s life was well lived, and he leaves a legacy of education, love, and companionship. Bob was married to his wife, Nona Braswell, for more than 68 years. They shared two sons, John (Claudia) and Jeff (Linda Louise) who had three grandchildren, Yenna, Serena, and Destiny. Bob-Bob was proud to have sponsored the three granddaughters in their education and took exceptional pride in their educational success. Robert, as his family called him when he was a youngster, was born outside of Boaz, Alabama, on July 23, 1932. He grew up on a rural farm with his four dear sisters and one brother and drove the school bus when he was 15 to Douglas High School. When he was 17, he left home to join the Air Force and served in Korea. After the war, he attended Snead College, in Boaz, and obtained his bachelor degrees and later obtained his master's degrees from the University of Alabama where he was a valedictorian. Dr. Braswell went on to obtain his Ph.D. from Oklahoma State University with high honors. Upon graduation, Dr. Braswell went to work for NASA where he served as a principal engineer on the Vehicle Assembly Building. He was next hired at 35 years old as the department chairman of the Industrial and Systems Engineering College at the University of Florida. While at Florida, one of his most proud positions was serving on the UF athletic board. In 1974, Dr. Braswell was hired by the United States Air Force where he served under the appointment of four presidents. He was ultimately appointed by President Bush to the National Acadamy of Scientist. After his time in Washington D.C., Dr. Braswell was retained by The Florida State University as the Director of the Super Computing Laboratory. At the end of his career, Dr. Braswell served as a professor emeritus as the FAMU/FSU College of Engineering where he was awarded numerous awards for his advancement of minority and female engineering students, and he taught fundamental classes in mathematics in an effort to inspire young people into the engineering field. To his two sons, he as always known as “Big Man”, and the Big Man had an incredible drive to his personal philosophy that there really was one best way to solve any equation. As one of his students said, “Dr. Braswell was unmatched in terms of his ability to motivate young people to achieve beyond their wildest dreams.” He had that same impact on his children, grandchildren, all the wonderful friends in his life that he loved dearly. The family is planning a celebration of life for October 22 in Fort Walton Beach. In lieu of flowers, the Big Man wanted you to invest in the education and experience of someone you love. Todd Wahlquist with Bevis Funeral Home (850-385-2193, www.bevisfh.com) is assisting the Braswell family with their arrangements.

Tributes

Robert Neil Braswell

July 23, 1932 - September 26, 2022