Robert Sayers Durling, Jr.

Robert Sayers Durling, Jr. was born on Sept. 26, 1934 to Evelyn (nee Hudson) Durling and Robert S. Durling Sr. in Baltimore City.  Bob and his family lived in the Homewood section of the city during his first seven years.  Bob and his sister Lyn, attended the Lida Lee Tall Elementary School.  After the family moved to Glen Arm, Bob and Lyn were taken to school in the morning and rode the Ma & Pa Railroad train home in the afternoon.  Bob's two younger brothers John and Jim were born while the family still lived on the farm.  Bob attended the school in Glen Arm, close to their home for Junior High, while Lyn went to Roland Park Jr. High in the City.  When Bob finished Junior High the family moved into the City again where Bob attended Poly Tech and Lyn went to Eastern High School.  Bob enjoyed movies at the Senator Theater throughout his high school years, making him something of an expert on movies from the 50's.

    Bob entered the Work-Study program while attending Georgia Tech, with Bendix being the work part of the  program.  He married Dorothy Siebert in his last year at Georgia Tech, and she taught elementary school while they lived in Atlanta.  Bob was employed full time at Bendix in the Radar division for ten years and then at Westinghouse for twenty years also in the Radar division before he retired at age 59. During his retirement he continued to enjoy computer programming and taught himself many computer languages along the way.

    Bob and Dorothy had three children:  Jeff (wife Jenny), Diana (husband Mark), and Richard (wife Kelli). Their marriage ended in divorce in 1985.  For the last 39 years Bob maintained a loving relationship with his life partner, Sandra Nolen. They often attended the concerts provided at Chesapeake Cultural Center and the Meyerhoff Auditorium. They loved taking day trips to Longwood Gardens and other attractions close by as well as trips to Bermuda and various Western States. Bob and Sandra for several years spent two months of each year in Texas helping to care for Sandra's parents and visiting her sister and Sandra's children and their families.

    Bob was diagnosed with advanced prostate cancer in 2011, receiving excellent care from Jason Taksey, MD Oncology in Annapolis.  Dr. Taksey's team met frequently to review Bob's care and provide effective next treatments. Anne Arundel Urology in Glen Burnie also provided admirable care, most often by Leanne Levine, CRNP. Neighbors of many years in Pasadena were constant friends and help when needed throughout the 39 years he and Sandra lived in AA County.

    After twelve years of enjoying most of his usual activities and very little pain, the disease progressed and he passed on October 19th with Sandra at his side.

    He is survived by his sister Lyn Ziething, Nieces Karen Kennedy, Grace Kennedy, Crystal Kennedy, nephews Don and David Kennedy, Bob's children Jeffrey Durling of California, Diana McNabb of New Hampshire, Richard Durling of Pennsylvania and grandchildren Elise Durling, BFA  (partner Christine), Julie McNabb, DPT., and Jaida McNabb, UNH student, Partner Sandra Nolen, Sandra's children Holly Gordon, Howard Gordon, Jr. Cassia Neelley, cousins Garland Mears, Wood Durling, Chuck Durling, friends Barbara Macleod, Blanche Stolkovich, Rev. and Mrs. John Taylor, neighborhood friends Larry and Linda Drymon, Cindy Thomas, Doug and Mai Massey, Fan and King Chan, Fred and Claudia Bosworth, Luke and Judy Balmaseno. Bob had many friends from Bendix and Westinghouse that he enjoyed staying in contact with throughout his retirement years.  Remembrance donations may be made to the Baltimore Museum of Industry.