Robert Chandler Jr.

Robert Franklin Chandler Jr. (September 4, 1927 - September 6, 2011) was an American engineer, organic chemist, collector, music historian, and soldier who helped create several systems of vehicle classifications and methods for the molding of plastic, especially water bottles.

Chandler was born in 1927 to Robert Chandler Sr. and Jean Holloman Chandler in Texas. He claimed to have British and Native American heritage.

Beginning during childhood, Chandler wished to become a collector, and late in his childhood, began collecting stamps, beginning with a stamp depicting the final king of Romania, Michael I. Chandler graduated high school in 1945 to study engineering at Auburn University.

While in college, Chandler was drafted to a small conflict in South Korea and returned to continue his studies after two years. He graduated in 1952. After graduating, Chandler found employment at General Electric, working between New York and North Carolina.

Chandler likely retired in 1992 to care for his autistic son Christian, whom he raised with his wife Barbara. He died in 2011 of heart complications.

Early Life

Robert Franklin Chandler Jr. was born on September 4, 1927, to Jean Hollomon Chandler (maiden name unknown), and Robert Franklin Chandler Sr. Soon afterward, Chandler and his family moved to Sylacauga, Alabama, where Chandler would spend the remainder of his childhood.

Chandler grew up in a lower-class Conservative Christian household and says he wanted "nothing more" than to become a collector, having developed a passion for culture, musical history, stamps, and currency in 1937. In 1941, Chandler entered Sylacauga High School. He graduated in 1945, going on to study engineering.

In 1946, Chandler was conscripted to fight in a small conflict in South Korea in the US Army. In 1948, he was allowed to leave with an honorable discharge. Upon returning to the United States, Chandler went to study aeronautical engineering at Jacksonville State Teacher's College, where he graduated in 1952.

General Electric and Work in Organic Chemistry and Automobile Industry

After graduating, Chandler went on to work at General Electric in New York later in 1952. In 1972, he moved to work with the company's divisions in North Carolina, dismissing New York as "too cold." While working at General Electric, Chandler helped create a plastic molding device that was patented in 1965 and a vehicle classification system he patented in 1974.

Chandler said he worked at the company for 40 years, likely meaning he retired in 1992, at the age of 65.

Personal Life

Chandler held very Conservative views, even joking that US President Barrack Obama would paint the White House black in 2009. He was also reported prejudiced towards the LGBTQ+ community. Records show he once told a prank caller "I've seen them crosses burnin', fella."

In 1956, he married a woman named Patricia, having two children with her; David and Carol. According to his half-sibling, David works as an opthalmologist in Virginia, whereas Carol was a mathematics prodigy who went on to work an unknown job in Washington D.C.

The two separated in 1976, officially divorcing in 1980. In the period between, Chandler met Barbara Weston at a bar, reportedly in 1978. The two began dating and married on June 7, 1980. On February 24, 1982, they gave birth to their son Christian, who later went on to identify as a transgender woman in 2014.

Chandler died of a heart attack on September 6, 2011 at the age of 84.

References

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