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Robert Clark Noe, 82, died February 8, 2008 in Gallup, New Mexico after a lengthy illness. His family, the oldest in Gallup, had come there in 1885, when New Mexico was still a territory. After graduating from Gallup High School, he attended UNM where he earned a BSME in 1945. While attending UNM, Robert was Drum Major and student Director for the Naval ROTC Band and a member of the UNM Orchestra. After graduating from UNM he was sent to Naval Training School at North Carolina State in Raleigh, North Carolina. There, on VJ Day, 1945, he and his wife Sally, also a Gallup native, were married. At the end of WWII, he was deployed to the Philippines on the YMS 11, the last wooden minesweeper from WWI. Robert was a Lieutenant JG in the US Navy and served from 1943 to 1946. He remained in the Naval Reserve for another 20 years. Following his Naval service, Robert was employed by the Phelps-Dodge Corporation in Morenci, Arizona. He and his wife returned to Gallup in 1947 where he worked with his father, T.C. "Pappy" Noe, a contractor and dirt track sprint racer. After serving on the Town Council, he became the Electric Utility Director for the City of Gallup until his retirement in 1987. As Utility Director, Robert's publications included "Electric Utility Distribution" and "Switch Gear Installation". His achievements with the City of Gallup include the design and publication of the first official city logo and the rehabilitation and modernization of the electric utility distribution over the course of eleven years- paid for completely with operating revenue only. He is listed in Who's Who in Technology. As a member of 20-30 Club, Robert designed and helped build their race track. He served as flagman for the races there. He was a Life Member of the Elks, BPOE 1330, as well as AIPE, APPA, the Archaeological Society of New Mexico, the Church of the Holy Spirit, Episcopal and the Gallup Historical Society. He worked with the Historical Society to establish their museum at the old Rex Hotel on historic Rt. 66 and their other building projects. Robert bowled for 20 years and also enjoyed fishing, travel and helping the Little Sisters of the Poor. Robert is survived by his wife of sixty-two years, Sally and his children, William Dean and Diana of Gallup, Thomas Clark of Albuquerque, and Katharine Merry of Belen. He is also survived by grandchildren, Jason Foutz and Maresa Thompson of Albuquerque, Christopher Noe of Firestone, Colorado, Amber Renee and Drew Hosford of Clarksville, Tennessee. and great-grandson Alex Hosford, also of Clarksville. Services will be held on Wednesday, February 13, 1:00 p.m. at the Church of the Holy Spirit, Episcopal in Gallup. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Little Sisters of the Poor in Gallup.
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