Robert Easterling

ROBERT GENE EASTERLING
Robert Easterling, formerly of Albuquerque, NM and Guthrie, OK passed away April 29, 2025, in Cary, NC. He was born in Waukegan, IL on September 25, 1942. He was known for his love of family, as a faithful Christian and church member wherever he resided, and for his commitment to giving to help others.

Robert was the valedictorian at Tonkawa (OK) High School in 1960. Following bachelor’s and master’s degrees at Oklahoma State University, he graduated from OSU with a Ph.D. in statistics. At a summer job he met Judy Cross, and they married in 1965. In 1967, he and Judy moved to Albuquerque, NM when he joined the statistics group at Sandia National Laboratories. Professional highlights included an assignment as the Editor of the journal Technometrics, being elected a Fellow of the American Statistical Association, and serving as a member of two National Research Council panels for the National Academy of Sciences.

After his retirement from Sandia in 2001, he taught introductory statistics courses at the University of Michigan, the University of Auckland, McMurry University, and the Naval Postgraduate School. Motivated by this experience, he authored a book, Fundamentals of Statistical Experimental Design and Analysis, published in 2015.

Robert would never miss his son’s soccer games. A huge New Mexico Lobos’ fan, he was the 10 millionth fan at The Pit. He enjoyed traveling, especially the back roads of America in the RV with Susie. Membership at St. John’s United Methodist Church for over 50 years was central to his spiritual and church family life. Interests included bluegrass music, his 1964 Ford Fairlane, fish tacos, and the histories of New Mexico and Oklahoma.

Robert is survived by his sons Mike (spouse Karen) and Jeff; his brother Lael Easterling (Katherine), sister Connie Easterling Collins (Tom) and sister Verla Easterling Raines Cline (Mike). Robert married Susie Hinkle in 1999. She passed in 2019, and Rob loved her adult children like his own: Jeff Hinkle (Valerie), Mandi Venable (Paul), Matt Hinkle (Suzy), and Heidi Vargas (Joey). Grandchildren: Jason Easterling, Malia Easterling, Macy Easterling, Matthew Kaltenbaugh, Tony Hinkle, Kaci Bill, Andrew Hinkle, Landon Vargas, Julian Vargas. Great-grandchildren: Evelyn Bill, Emilia Bill, Lily Hinkle, Grayden Hinkle.

Robert is preceded in death by wife Judy Cross Easterling, wife Susie Hinkle Easterling, father Verlin Easterling, mother Bonnie Bennett Easterling and infant son Mark (b.1969-’69 dec.).

Dementia took a lot from Robert. But he never lost his sense of humor, his joy attending church, or his desire to help others. And until the end he was still planning his next road trip.

Favorite Bible verses:

“For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to devote ourselves to the good deeds for which God has designed us.” Ephesians 2:10

“I lift up my eyes to the hills. Where does my help come from? It comes from The Lord, maker of heaven and earth.” Psalm 121:1-4

Services are being planned for Albuquerque, NM May 17 and Guthrie, OK May 31.