Robert L. Travis - Spicer-Mullikin Funeral Homes & Crematory

Robert L. Travis

January 4, 1945 - January 13, 2025

Robert L Travis passed away peacefully at Christiana Hospital in Newark, Delaware on January 13, 2025.  Throughout his career, Robert was instrumental in expanding the blood supply to area hospitals in need.  He served as CEO of the Blood Bank of Delmarva from 1994 and held leadership roles in national blood banking organizations until he retired in 2011.

Robert was born in Billings, Montana to Paul and Vera (Sinnock) Travis.  He and his four siblings were raised in Belfry, Montana, a small town south of Billings.  After graduating from Belfry High School, he enlisted in the ROTC program at the University of Wyoming before transferring to the University of Montana to complete a degree in microbiology.  After college, he entered the Army as a lab officer and soon became interested in Blood Banking.  He went through the military Blood Bank Fellowship Program and gained his masters degree in immunohematology and Specialist in Blood Banking designation.

Robert found his passion for golf while in the Army.  He began golfing on a more regular basis at Newark Country Club where he was a member for close to 30 years.  He participated in annual golfing excursions with his wife Connie and NCC friends and spent winters in the Villages, Florida.

He enjoyed cooking, spending time with his family, and traveling.   His sense of adventure took him to all 50 states, Canada, Mexico, New Zealand, Australia, and eastern Europe.  Each year he traveled back to Montana and Cody, Wyoming to the cabin that his dad began building in 1950.

Robert is predeceased by his parents and his brother, John.  He is survived by his wife Connie, sons R. Bryan (Eryn) of West Chester, PA, John Paul (Jessica) of Wilmington, DE; and grandchildren, Andrew, Caroline, Vera, and Finley Travis. He is also survived by his siblings, Dorothy Moore of Laramie, WY, Jane Ashton (Jim) of Portland, OR, Bill Travis (Mechthild) of Sierra Vista, AZ; and several nieces and nephews.

The family will not be holding services immediately, but will plan a Celebration of Life to be held in the spring.

If you are interested in making a donation in Robert’s name, please consider The Blood Bank of Delmarva, the Food Bank of Delaware or the Breast Cancer Research Foundation.

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14 Condolences for Robert L. Travis

  • We did not have the privilege of meeting Robert, but knowing Bryan as well as we do, we can surmise he was a man of great integrity, compassion, intelligence and wit. Our sincere condolences to the entire Travis family.
    With love,
    Mark, Maggie, Kendall and Brynn

  • Dear Bryan and family,
    My sincere condolences on your loss. Something I read once seems particularly applicable to your dad:
    “A life well- lived leaves behind a bouquet of beautiful memories.” I only wish I’d had the pleasure of meeting him.

  • I miss you grandpa. May you be at peace

  • What an amazing life story. Deepest sympathies for all the Travis family. May God comfort you during this difficult time.

  • Well Connie and Family, we lost a dear friend in Rob. and my heart is broken for you all. Your man left his mark on all in which he came in contact. He truly was a sincere personality and it showed in his kindness . Cherish and treasure all those memories and know he is now in the arms of our Savior Jesus Christ. ♥️🙏🏼

  • My wife Sandi and I send our Prayers for the Peace that Passeth Understanding to the Loved Ones of Bob Travis. I was fortunate to know and volunteer with Bob for many, many years via our memberships in the Rotary Club of Wilmington DE, where each of us were active. Later, as a consultant I worked with the Blood Bank of Delmarva — in passing with him — under his successor where I saw up close the quality of his commitment to professionalism and to helping people. Bob will be missed. Our condolences to his family.

  • Jim and I are sending our deepest condolences to you and your family.

  • We were classmates at the Belfry, Montana school system going back to the third grade. After graduating from High School it seemed we all went separate ways. Around 2010 or so when a lot of us began to retire, Robert organized luncheons for classmates and spouses when he and Connie were visiting nearby. It was great to see each other and reminisce about our school days and catch up on events in our lives. He will be greatly missed. My wife and I send our deepest condolences to Connie, their family, his sisters and his brother. Our thoughts and prayers are with them.

  • Dear Connie and family,
    We are so sorry for your loss. Take good care of each other and know we all send our love. We are so grateful for our gatherings and time to spend together.
    Nancy and Mel

  • Love and hugs to you all. Uncle Robert was the best!

  • Dear Connie and families, so sorry to read of Bob’s passing….We send our hugs your way! With much love and sympathy! Sharon and Bob. Would love to know when his memorial is planned! So grateful to have visited with him at Belfry’s reunion!!

  • Condolances to the family RIP

  • Worked with Bob for years via America’s Blood Centers. He always had the best interest of the patients at the far end of our service chain in mind. I miss him and send my sympathies to the family.

  • I am truly saddened to learn of Bob’s passing. He was a good friend and blood industry colleague.
    My deepest sympathies to Connie and his family.

    Joe Yelo