Obituary
Life celebration for Robert Elden Hicks, 97, of Maitland, FL who died Thursday, August 3, 2017 will be at 11:00am on August 8 at Altamonte Chapel, 825 Altamonte Drive in Altamonte Springs, FL. The family will receive friends from 10:30am until service time. Committal will take place at Elk Springs Cemetery in Monticello, Kentucky.
Born June 8, 1920 in Hidalgo, KY, he married Ina Mae Cox in August 1942 and was married 69 years until her passing in 2011. Robert served for 21 years in the U.S. Air Force, traveling to numerous countries and making many lasting friendships. After retiring from the military in 1962, he worked full-time to obtain his doctorate in Economics from Ohio State University, where he then taught Economics until departing for Central Florida in 1968. As a professor of Economics and Finance, he taught the first incoming class of Florida Technical University. He remained at the University of Central Florida (as it became named in 1978) until his retirement in 1982. During his tenure, he authored many articles, received accolades and awards, served as department chair, and helped start the Economics Club of Orlando in 1977. Known for being a tough professor, over the years, students would come back to visit Dr. Hicks and thank him for giving them the skills that helped them excel in their careers.
Upon retirement, Robert did not slow down. He and Ina spent several months at a time on the road, traveling across the country in their motor home to visit friends and family. They spent many summers in Science Hill, KY near their birthplaces, where Robert cultivated a 2-acre garden full of every imaginable fruit, vegetable and flower. Robert volunteered at the Casselberry branch of the Seminole County Library for 18 years in the Friends of the Library Bookstore. He was a lifelong lover of books, especially biographies, and developed many close friendships with his regular customers and fellow volunteers. As an educator, he was an advocate of continuing education and participated in a computer club where he became quite proficient. He even mastered an iPad at 93.
He leaves to cherish his memory, sons Roger Hicks and Robert Hicks (Barbara), sisters Eva Davis and Lola Edwards, grandchildren David Dillard, Mary Potter (Shane), Michelle Feinberg (Andrew), Andrew Hicks (Anne), Jeremiah Hicks and Daniel Hicks (Veronika), 8 great-grandchildren and 4 great-great-grandchildren.
In lieu of other remembrances, the family requests donations to the Seminole County Friends of the Library Bookstore, 215 North Oxford Road, Casselberry, FL 32707.
Service
Elk Springs Cemetery, Monticello, 21
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