Stewart O. Robinson

Stewart lost his long-fought struggle with dementia and passed away peacefully on Sunday, September 1, 2024. He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Donna Bell Robinson; daughter Lindsay Christina Robinson; son Philip John Robinson and daughter-in-law Kimberley Covert Robinson and grandchildren, Hunter, Ryan and Emma Robinson; Mable Bell Cockerham, loving mother-in-law; Michael Lee Bell, brother-in-law and wife Ellen Krekel Bell; Terri Bell Stroube, niece and husband Rey Stroube; Kristi Bailey, niece and husband Dewey Bailey; Ashley Bell Caton, niece and husband Rory Caton; and numerous nieces, nephews and friends. The family would like to thank Sonder Hospice of Austin for their invaluable support along with a special thanks to his devoted personal caregivers who cared for him the last eighteen months.

Stewart was born in Kaufman, TX, on March 9, 1947, to Muriel Benson Robinson and John Elsworth Robinson. At three years old, Stewart lost his father and was raised by his mother and grandparents Ora Lake Benson and John Ollie Benson. He spent an idyllic childhood in the rural community where he played all sports and participated in weekend rodeos. A highlight of his life in Kaufman was his induction into the Kaufman High School Hall of Fame. He left Kaufman in 1965 to attend college.

He graduated from the University of Texas in 1969 with a degree in Finance. While at UT he was a member of the Omicron chapter of Beta Theta Pi where he served as an officer and enjoyed intramural sports. He made lifelong friends at UT. He moved to Houston after college and began his career in commercial real estate brokerage in 1973 with The Horne Company.

In 1990, he formed the real estate firm of Montgomery, Conine & Robinson. In 1995, established his own firm, SOR Real Estate Advisors. In 2008-09, Stewart joined the Hines marketing team which was responsible for the initial leasing of BG Group Place.

Stewart’s career focused on landlord representation successfully leasing more than 10 million square feet of Class A office space. The industry recognized his real estate acumen with numerous awards, culminating in The National Association of Industrial and Office Properties (NAIOP) Broker Hall of Fame induction in 2020.

Stewart was dedicated to the beauty and vitality of the downtown district. He served on the Board of Directors for the Downtown Houston Management District, the Buffalo Bayou Transformation, Inc., and the Chamber of Commerce Parks and Bayou Committee which raised funds for Tranquility Park, Allen’s Landing and Buffalo Bayou. He also served on the National Board of Directors for the Society of Industrial and Office Realtors and was the founding member of the Houston Office Leasing Brokers Association.

Stewart also gave of his time and dedication to his community in Hunter’s Creek Village serving as President of the Memorial High School Booster Club, founder of the Father’s Forum at Spring Branch Middle School, and Director of the Spring Branch-Memorial Sports Association.

Stewart’s greatest joy was his children Philip and Lindsay. He took so much pride in them and devoted his life to supporting and enjoying them. He obviously loved being a father to Philip since he himself was denied the privilege. Stewart was passionate about coaching in Little League and middle school and remained Philip’s strongest supporter through high school. He devoted equal interest in Lindsay. He tried to make her a softball and volleyball player, but her passion was art and dance, so he showed up at every recital sitting proudly in the front row with his video camera rolling. Taking Terri into his family unit and nurturing her like a daughter exemplified his generous spirit. He embraced his grandnieces and nephews and created strong bonds as they grew and matured.

His devotion to family extended to Philip’s wife Kimberley whom he loved like a daughter and to their children, Hunter, Ryan, and Emma. His desire to be near them as they grew motivated a move to Austin. He rarely missed an athletic event: the kids could always look into the stands or the audience and spot their two grandfathers and two grandmothers, smiling, clapping, snapping photos, and cheering them on.

Stewart’s love of nature included hunting, fishing, hiking, and birding. The home in Austin afforded him a perfect environment to fulfil his passion for the outdoors as his new home was located in the Long Canyon neighborhood near the canyonlands of the Balcones Wildlife Preserve. In retiring to Austin, he also had the opportunity to enjoy another passion: University of Texas football. It wasn’t lost on his family that he passed away on the opening day of dove season and the opening weekend of college football.

Stewart had many gifts and shared his time and talents throughout his life, including his final act of donating his brain for scientific research. His brain will be studied as part of continuing research into the devasting disease of Lewy Body Dementia. This final act may be the ultimate gift. If you would like to support the research project at the Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, FL, please visit the website of the Brain Support Network to learn more about Stewart’s contribution and how you can participate with your donation. brainsupportnetwork.org

Please celebrate the life of Stewart Robinson with us Friday, September 20,2024, at 1:00pm.