Robert J. Birnbaum

Robert Jay Birnbaum passed away on the evening of Friday, January 17 at the age of 77. Known as Bobby by his friends and family, he was born in San Antonio on September 4, 1947, to Joe and Ann Birnbaum and graduated from Thomas Jefferson High School in 1965. A fiercely loyal Longhorn fan throughout his life, he attended the University of Texas at Austin where he studied History (BA 1970) and then Law (JD 1973) and was a member of the Tau Delta Phi fraternity. In 1969, he married Mary Jane Meyers, and they had two children together, Scott and Jennifer, who grew up in Austin. Bobby was a veteran having served as a Sergent in the Air Force Ready Reserves from 1969-1971 as well as a practicing attorney in Austin and San Antonio for more than 50 years.

Bobby loved playing golf and poker and had regular games with his friends who appreciated his easy sense of humor and his warm demeanor. He was always ready with a good story or a joke and had an instinct for a perfectly timed punchline, but he was also a loyal friend who was willing to listen, provide counsel, or give a helping hand. He had a deep love for the landscape of the Texas Gulf Coast where he enjoyed fishing and was an active member of the Coastal Conservation Association for more than two decades.

Bobby is survived by his children, Scott Birnbaum and Jennifer Kaufmann-Buhler; his daughter-in-law Tracy Podell; his son-in-law Toby Kaufmann-Buhler; his siblings Mike Birnbaum, Barry Birnbaum, and Sandy Levinson; his sisters-in-law Beverly Birnbaum and Shifra Birnbaum; his ex-wife Mary Birnbaum; as well as many cousins, nieces, and nephews. He was dearly loved by his family and his friends, and he will be missed by all who knew him. Donations in his memory can be made with the Texas Coastal Conservation Association (ccatexas.org), Congregation Agudas Achim, or another charity of your choice.

To view the livestream for the service of Robert. J. Birnbaum, please click here: https:/drive.google.com/file/d/1fiZE_OOs_uE6_29cKl6AJLmXwB3aExsY/view?usp=sharing