Claude Houston Trotter

Claude Houston Trotter died peacefully at the age of 95 on February 25, 2011 in Austin, Texas. Claude was born on December 26, 1915 in Kansas City, Kansas, the eldest of two boys. He graduated with a degree in civil engineering from the University of Kansas where he was a member of the KU track team and Phi Delta Theta Fraternity. In 1938, after marrying his college sweetheart, Claude worked briefly for the Santa Fe Railroad in

Kansas City. He then began his successful career with Phillips Petroleum Company, moving first to Phillips, Texas and later to Bartlesville, Oklahoma where he and Ann raised their three sons. Claude remained with Phillips in Bartlesville until his retirement making valuable contributions in the refining and international departments. He retired from Phillips as Vice-President of Human Resources.

As an engineer, Claude liked precision and greatly enjoyed hypothesizing simple solutions for difficult problems. He also had a wonderful talent for staying in touch with friends, taking the time and effort to maintain those connections over the years. Throughout his life, Claude was an avid supporter of and contributor to both the University of Kansas and his fraternity. Since Claude and Ann adored Colorado and the Pikes Peak area,

Colorado became their favorite vacation spot as the boys were growing up. In later years, they were able to live in Colorado Springs several months out of the year, inviting family and friends to visit. Claude and Ann moved to Austin in 1990. In 2001, they became residents of Westminster Manor.

Claude is survived by: his son, Claude H. Trotter, Jr. and wife, Sally Brown Trotter of Fontana, WI; his son, J. David Trotter and wife, Marcia Bunn Trotter of Austin, TX; his son, Donald W. Trotter and wife, Vickie Taylor

Trotter of Kansas City, MO.; as well as 6 grandchildren, Kristen Trotter Oakley, Claude H. Trotter III, Michael D. Trotter, Brooke Trotter Robertson, Nathan Taylor Trotter and Ann Trotter Santacroce; and 11 great-grandchildren, Josh Oakley, Samantha Oakley, Megan Oakley, Ryan Trotter, Mia Trotter, Elaine Trotter, Bradyn Robertson, Hunter Robertson, Jake Robertson, Wes Trotter and Kendall Santacroce.

The Trotter family will have a private celebration of Claude's life in Austin.

The family wishes to express its profound thanks to Monique Guzman for her loving and devoted assistance over the past several years and to both the Westminster Manor Health Center and Hospice Austin for the comfort and care they so professionally provide. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that contributions be made to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation-Central Texas Chapter, 3316 Bee Cave Rd., Ste. A, Austin, TX 78746 or Cystic Fibrosis Foundation at www.cff.org.