Bob Bighouse

Robert L. Bighouse (Bob), 97 years young, went to be with the Lord and his family in heaven on February 27, 2026. He was born on October 26, 1928, in Columbus, Ohio to Dorothy and William Bighouse. He was the eldest of three children.

He graduated from St. Charles Preparatory School in Columbus in 1946 and played football in high school. He enrolled in The Ohio State University and played football in his freshman year. He stepped back from football after his freshman year making room for the men returning from WWII to have a place on the team. He majored in Chemical Engineering and was in the ROTC to help defray his costs. He was activated to go to the Korean War in 1951 prior to graduating. He was a Lieutenant in the Chemical Mortar Battalion and was on the front lines in the war.

He met the love of his life Janie 6 weeks prior to leaving for Korea on a blind date and they dated every night until he shipped out. They continued their romance with regular love letters, and he sent her an engagement ring for Christmas, she said yes. They married 2 weeks after his return from Korea. Janie had everything ready except the groom. He completed his degree at Ohio State and graduated the same month his first daughter, Beth was born.

He went to work for Union Carbide in the plastics division and worked as a Project Manager. His work took him to Charleston, W.Va., Brownsville, Tx., Victoria, Tx, Luling, La., and finally Houston, Tx. In his final professional years, he worked on a project in Tokyo and Saudi Arabia.

The family grew with 6 kids and life was always busy, never-ending array of activities and controlled chaos. He found time to get his MBA from the University of Houston night school in the 70’s (lordy, lordy). He and Janie took advantage of their time abroad to travel the world. They went all over Europe including Ireland and Germany. Asia including China, Thailand and Japan, He bungee jumped in New Zealand and vacationed in Bali before a trip to Australia. Camels were a mode of transportation in Egypt and an elephant in India. His favorite place was to come back home and be with family.

He had the privilege to return to Korea on two separate occasions with the governments “Thanks and Remembrance” program and enjoyed every minute with his trip back in time with fellow veterans. He went to Washington D.C. on an honor flight and went to the Korean War Memorial. He was a devoted member and officer in the Houston chapter of the Korean War Veterans and later the San Antonio chapter. He loved his time spent with his fellow veterans.

Most people slowdown in retirement, but he sped up. He volunteered with St. Cecilia catholic church, St. Vincent Depaul and with the Union Carbide retiree group. He volunteered at the VA National Cemetery in Houston for several years greeting visitors when they came in.

He will be remembered for his undying patience, earning the nickname ‘Saint Bob’ from family and friends. He will also be remembered for his love and devotion to his wife and family. He helped care for his daughter Beth, who had ALS, after her husband died unexpectedly and became a second father to her daughters. He navigated his wife through Alzheimer’s before she passed at age 80. He took in his son Bob a year later when his ALS progressed and was his caregiver until he passed. Bob was then 93.

The family is grateful to Julie and her wife Linda for taking him in and providing wonderful care, home cooked meals, trips to the lake to sail and trips to Houston for Astros and Texans game. They are also thankful to Will and his wife Gail for their trips to Austin to provide care and support. He got some well-deserved rest. He bowled until a year ago and was a member of Santa Cruz catholic church.

We are thankful for the brief but devoted care from the nurses and staff at Hospice Austin, they were all angels. Also, a special thank you to the brave men of the Korean War Veterans Chapters in Houston and San Antonio. He cherished his time spent with you.

The family is profoundly thankful for his example of a life well lived, faith, loyalty, quiet strength and everlasting love and devotion.

He is preceded in death by his parents William and Dorothy Bighouse, his sister Delores Ann Fleming, his beloved wife Janie (Elizabeth Jane) and his sons Robert William (Bobby) and James Patrick (Jimmy); his daughters Elizabeth Ann Geiger (Beth) and Joan Marie Burleson (Joannie). He is survived by his sister Rita Jane Crissinger, daughter Julie (Linda) and son Bill (Gail) along with seven grandchildren, thirteen great grandchildren and one great great granddaughter who will forever cherish their Papa.

Visitation with the family will be held from 4:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m., Monday, March 9, 2026 at Waltrip Funeral Directors, 1415 Campbell Road, Houston, Texas 77055. A Vigil will begin at 5:00 p.m. The Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m., Tuesday at St. Cecilia Catholic Church, 11740 Joan of Arc Drive, Houston, Texas 77024. The Rite of Committal will follow in Houston National Cemetery with US Army Military Honors.

Donations can be made in his honor to the Korean War Veterans Association. ALS Society, Alzheimer’s Association or the charity of your choice.