Robert “Bob” Kain passed away on Tuesday, November 26th, 2024, in Houston, Texas, at the age of 87. He was born on August 27th, 1937, in Wheeling, West Virginia to Hal Thornton Kain and Anne Marie Hinerman Kain. He was the middle child of 5 siblings.

Bob grew up in Wheeling, West Virginia and attended West Virginia Institute of Technology where he earned his BS in Electrical Engineering. He spent the vast majority of his career with NASA, primarily in flight crew training. He contributed to the Mercury, Gemini, Apollo, Skylab, Apollo-Soyuz, Space Shuttle, and International Space Station programs. Bob worked for NASA for 35 years and trained many astronauts across several programs to prepare them for their missions, which made his family very proud of his contribution to the US Space Program.

Bob is survived by his loving wife Leona of 47 years. They were married in 1977 which created a blended family of 8 children, 4 from Bob and 4 from Leona. They were enormously proud of their children and adored their 7 grandchildren and 5 great grandchildren.

Bob enjoyed playing games with friends on the weekends and late into the evening. He also enjoyed watching the Houston sport teams and was a big fan of the Houston Oilers and now the Houston Texans. Bob and Leona were avid bowlers. He bowled for over 50 years in many leagues in the Houston area. He also played in a senior softball league in 2002 and was proud that the “65’s” team got to play in the Houston Astrodome, where the Oilers and Astros used to play.

Bob really enjoyed family time. He attended almost all the family gatherings and reunions and really enjoyed attending the school and sporting events of his children and then his grandchildren. Bob made a great smoked turkey on Thanksgiving and Christmas, along with his famous Manhattan Cocktails.

Bob was dedicated to his workout regime, meticulous in his yard work, and much adored by his neighbors.

Bob is survived by his children Rob (Sharon), Karen, and Susan, his stepchildren Steve, Sharon, and Stuart (Linda), his grandchildren Zak (Leslie), Abby (Keegan), Shawn (Aimee), Joseph, Katherine (Evelyn), Logan (Ashley), and Jeff (Chloe), his step great grandchildren Lexi, Angelina, Ellie, Skylar, Amelia, his brother Jack, and sister Debbie. He is preceded in death by his parents, sister Nancy, brother Bill, son Jeff, and stepson Scott.

Per Bob’s wishes, there will be no memorial service.