Robert W. Forsten

Robert W. (Bob) Forsten was born November 3, 1939, in San Francisco, CA to William R. and Helen K. Forsten and was raised in Dayton, TN. Bob was an Eagle Scout (Order of the Arrow), Troop 111. He attended McCallie School in Chattanooga, TN where he was a member of Keo-Kio, graduated in 1957 and stayed in touch with many members of the “still undefeated” class of ’57. Bob attended Massachusetts Institute of Technology and earned his BS in Electrical Engineering from Drexel University in 1964. Bob’s early career was working in telemetry for Saturn 5 rockets in Huntsville, AL during the height of the space race. In 1970, Bob returned to his hometown of Dayton to work in the family business, Zenith Hosiery Mill. Bob then worked with TVA at Watts Bar. Later he opened his own business as a Professional Engineer in Rhea County, working in land development and various city and county projects – including the first county traffic light outside Dayton city limits. Bob served as Chairman of the Rhea County Planning Commission for 38 years. Early service to his church, First United Methodist Church of Dayton was as youth leader and Sunday School teacher; he served faithfully as finance chairman for 27 years. Besides his fun projects with electricity, chemistry and metals, his greatest passion was membership in Sports Car Club of America. “Captain Bob” was a corner worker, driver of a Datsun 1600 “#10”, and a Steward – all combining his fascination with speed, safety, and fair play. Bob Forsten is survived by his wife, Janice, of Dayton, his daughter, Caren Forsten (David) Thompson of Alexandria, VA, brother, David (Kathryn) Forsten of Dayton, and sister, Deb Forsten of West Palm Beach, FL, and many nieces and nephews. A memorial service will be conducted by Reverend Ken Pierce at First United Methodist Church of Dayton on Thursday, November 1 at 5 pm, with visitation before from 3-5 pm in the Fellowship Hall. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to First United Methodist Church of Dayton, TN; Cherokee Council Boy Scouts of America; or McCallie School. Please share your memories of Bob on his on-line guest registry at www.vanderwallfh.com. The family is being served by the Vanderwall Funeral Home in Dayton.

Robert W. Forsten

November 3, 1939 - October 27, 2012