Dr. Robert Atkinson passed away peacefully at his home in North Huntsville, where he lived for nearly forty years. Robert had enjoyed the friendships of many neighbors and congregants at the Community of Christ church, where he also served as a lay minister. He volunteered countless hours of his life working for various community programs such as youth orchestra and scouts, and he supported various progressive political campaigns.

Robert began his life in a simple farm house in Ontario, Canada, where he lived without running water until his adolescence and was educated in a one-room schoolhouse. From those beginnings, he went on to achieve a Doctorate in physics at McMaster University before immigrating to the United States in the 1960s. He and his wife Cheryl, who preceded him in death in 2010, chose to settle in Alabama in 1970, inspired by a chance to work with emerging space technology while also allying with the civil rights movement. Robert and Cheryl raised two children who have grown to continue their family's commitment to equity, justice, and social progress.

Robert passed away while engaged in his favorite pastime: tinkering with repairs at his home, and he slipped into his next life with a car owner's manual still in his hands. He is remembered and celebrated by his children as a man who never let his family down, and who, along with his wife, provided his family with happiness, travel, adventure, humor, and encouragement.

He is survived by his children Matthew Atkinson and Serena Atkinson Sato (Sataro), and grandchildren River, Keizan, Cedar and Yaoki.

A celebration of life will be held at 3:00 on Sunday, October 19 at Community of Christ church in Huntsville.

Donations in his honor can be given to SERRV or Manna House.

Berryhill Funeral Home assisted the family.