Robert W. Atkinson, a past officer and director of the Guy F. Atkinson Company, a worldwide construction and engineering firm based in San Bruno, California, died August 10, 1995, at the age of 80, in Menlo Park after a brief illness.

Mr. Atkinson manged many of the company's major construction projects during a 45-year association with the firm.  He headed the highway division during the 1950s and 1960s when the bulk of the California freeway system was built and he also headed the waterfront and international divisions at various times.  He also established and led the firm's successful oil and gas division, which he continued to oversee during recent years.

Mr. Atkinson was born in Los Angeles, California.  He attended South Pasadena High School and in 1936 graduated from Stanford University, where he majored in engineering.  After graduation, he worked for the Shell Oil Company in Louisiana for several years before joining the firm named for his great-uncle, who founded the giant California construction company in the early 1920s.

Mr. Atkinson was a past state president and national director of the Associated General Contractors of America, a co-founder and director of the Commonwealth Assurance Company, and Beaver Pacific Corporation of San Francisco, and a director of a number of other businesses and charitable groups.

He is survived by his sons, Franklyn of Atherton, California, and William of Verdi, Nevada; and by five grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

San Francisco Chronicle, August 17, 1995