Robert Bruce Irwin, 69, died at his home in Benton, Arkansas, on December 15, 2009. Irwin was born in Stillwater on December 12, 1940 to Robert Ray Irwin and Nancy Jane Miller Irwin. He graduated from Stillwater High School in 1959 where he was a student leader and played on the basketball team. He earned a Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering from Oklahoma State University in 1964. While at OSU he served as President of OSU Student Government and of his fraternity, Phi Delta Theta.

He and Doris Elaine Main were married in 1964 in Cherokee. His working career was spent with Exxon, which took them to Baton Rouge, Louisiana, New York City and Houston, where they resided for over 35 years. Recently, he and his son had been owners and operators of a Uretek construction foam business centered in Little Rock.

Bruce always loved the outdoors and all of God's creation, and had attained the rank of Eagle Scout and was honored with the Order of the Arrow while a teenager. He had been a faithful and active member of his church, serving as an Elder, youth leader, and after retiring from Exxon, as missions coordinator. He and Doris always welcomed friends of their children into their home, and were mentors, spiritual and surrogate parents to many young people during their life together. He was a devoted husband, father, grandfather and was a man of honor, integrity and faith, who was always proud to be a servant of his Lord.

Bruce is survived by his wife, Doris, son Kevin Irwin and wife Beth of Benton, Arkansas; daughter Kristen Poteet and husband Patrick of McKinney, Texas; sisters Nancy Irwin Crenshaw and husband Jerry Crenshaw, and Janet Irwin Fultz of Stillwater, brother Thomas Irwin and wife Marcy of Arlington, Texas, sister-in-law Sharon Irwin of Stillwater, and brother-in-law Donald Main and wife Karen of, Colorado as well as 7 grandchildren, 1 great-grandchild, 14 nieces and nephews, and 9 great-nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, his brother David Irwin and niece Amanda Fultz, sister-in-law Linda Main and his mother and father-in-law, Howard and Irene Main.

A celebration of life will be held for Mr. Irwin at 2 p.m. on Monday, December 21, 2009 in the chapel of Dial & Dudley Funeral Home in Bryant, 501-847-9099, with burial to follow at Pinecrest Memorial Park.

Visitation will be held on Sunday from 4-6p.m. at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers the family has ask that memorials be made out to:

Fellowship Bible Church Missions, P.O. Box 7123 Little Rock, AR 72223

or

Cypress Bible Church, 11711 Cypress N. Houston Rd. Cypress, TX 77429, MEMO: Missions Fund