Born to William Elmer Edwards and Nellie Bessie Clayton Edwards in Phoenix, Arizona. His parents divorced in 1920, and he was informally adopted by Robert Arthur Tait, Sr. when his Mother married Mr. Tait in 1921. He grew up working in Tait's garage and developed a love for all things mechanical. After schooling, went to work for Vultee Aircraft in Downey, CA, then to Northrop Corporation. Volunteered for the Navy in 1942 and saw combat in the Solomon Islands. Returning to Southern California after the war, he married Elizabeth Louise Ellis, with whom he had four children. He continued working at Northrop Corporation as a Master Mechanic, frequently working on prototype aircraft. He developed a unique painting system for the Mariner spacecraft which was critical to the success of that program. After the death of his wife in 1974 and his retirement from Northrop in 1980, he spent his time helping out the elderly in our family. On November 1, 1994 he was struck by a car driven by an inattentive driver while crossing the street in front of his home. After a prolonged battle, he succumbed to his injuries, but not before he recovered sufficiently to say good-bye to the family he loved.
Born to William Elmer Edwards and Nellie Bessie Clayton Edwards in Phoenix, Arizona. His parents divorced in 1920, and he was informally adopted by Robert Arthur Tait, Sr. when his Mother married Mr. Tait in 1921. He grew up working in Tait's garage and developed a love for all things mechanical. After schooling, went to work for Vultee Aircraft in Downey, CA, then to Northrop Corporation. Volunteered for the Navy in 1942 and saw combat in the Solomon Islands. Returning to Southern California after the war, he married Elizabeth Louise Ellis, with whom he had four children. He continued working at Northrop Corporation as a Master Mechanic, frequently working on prototype aircraft. He developed a unique painting system for the Mariner spacecraft which was critical to the success of that program. After the death of his wife in 1974 and his retirement from Northrop in 1980, he spent his time helping out the elderly in our family. On November 1, 1994 he was struck by a car driven by an inattentive driver while crossing the street in front of his home. After a prolonged battle, he succumbed to his injuries, but not before he recovered sufficiently to say good-bye to the family he loved.
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