Robert Gerald Southwell

Bob was originally from Michigan, where he graduated from Michigan State University in 1952, with a Bachelor’s degree from the business school and a major in Hotel Administration. With the Korean War underway, he joined the Navy serving as a navigator on board the USS Princeton, CVA and was discharged with the rank of Lieutenant in the European Theater. His two years in Naples Italy involved the establishment of a NATO club, in which he was in charge of a club operation serving over 1,000 members daily, coming mostly from cities in Turkey, Italy, the United States, England, and Australia, with occasional visitors from other countries in Europe. He was also called upon to negotiate terms and establish a hotel and vacation complex in San Felice, Italy, again serving southern NATO personnel.

Upon discharge in Europe he began his career in private clubs, beginning in Marion, Indiana, where he was lucky to meet his wife Barbara, subsequently moving to Toledo, Ohio and on to Elkhart, Indiana. He and the now family of five, moved to Houston, Texas where he was engaged to operate Lakeside Country Club until he was hired away by Houston Country Club, where he was the general manager for 20 years. Bob was very active in CMAA, NRA, NCA, and established and taught the Club Operations course at the University of Houston Hotel School. He served six years on the National CMAA Board and was proud to be one of the three club executives having the largest private scholarships named the Southwell, Steger, Brecunier Scholarship Foundation. Bob and his wife Barbara were truly world travelers and educators, with friends from Hong Kong to Europe and Australia to the Peoples Republic of China. Bob taught students at the Hangzhou Institute of Commerce and lectured hotel managers in Shanghai and Beijing.

Bob was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers, Jerry and Verl and his sister Leila Bruch. He is survived by his loving wife of 59 years, Barbara J. Hoyt Southwell; two sons, Brian Southwell and Brent Southwell and his wife Kelly; daughter, Karla Havlina and her husband Glenn of Pensacola, Florida; grandsons, Ian Southwell, Campbell Southwell and Justin Treat; granddaughter, Nicole Southwell and her spouse Alex; sister-in-law, Jean Southwell; niece Janine Southwell and nephew Scott Southwell, their spouses and children. Bob is also survived by his two close friends, David and Lucy Chag (whom his children refer to as mom and dad’s other kids).

Bob was a loyal and dedicated friend to all including his employees and the members of the clubs that he built relationships with. Bob was committed to developing, mentoring and encouraging those who worked with him and around him. His family is grateful for the support Bob and we received from his many friends as he struggled with Alzheimer’s, especially the friendship of Dr. Norman Berkman and the entire staff of the Belmont Village Hunters Creek.

A memorial service is to be conducted at ten o’clock in the morning on Tuesday the 3rd of January 2017 in the Jasek Chapel of Geo H. Lewis & Sons, 1010 Bering Drive, Houston. Immediately following, all are invited to greet the family during a reception in the grand foyer.

In lieu of customary remembrances, the family requests with gratitude that memorial contributions in Bob’s name be directed to the Southwell, Steger, Brecunier scholarship endowment to honor his memory. Checks should be made payable to the University of Houston, designating Bob Southwell, and sent to Miguel Cabrera, Conrad N. Hilton College, 4450 University Drive, Room 227, Houston, Texas 77204-3028. If you'd like to contribute by credit card you may call Dianca Chase, Hilton College, at 713-743-1647