Robert was born in Cedar Bayou, Texas to Rufus and Sadie Osgood on March 5, 1938. On May 1st, 1963 he married Sharon Smith, his next door neighbor. They were married for 51 years until her passing in 2015.
Robert was born into a long line of boatbuilders and fishermen. He built his first boat when he was only 16 years old, a 26ft. shrimping skiff he built during high school shop class (he got an “A”). Shrimping soon became his passion and as his ambition grew, so did the boats he built. Over the years he built a succession of boats, each one larger and more powerful than the one before. Most of his boats were framed using red heart cypress, known for its ability to withstand the harsh saltwater environment. His larger boats were named after his wife Sharon. The last boat he built was his crowning achievement: a 72ft steel hull shrimp boat which took him 3 winters to build, the “Blessing”.
Robert was truly a versatile man. Of necessity, he became proficient in a wide range of disciplines which were necessary for his livelihood: Drafting, engineering, carpentry, welding, electrical, plumbing, HVAC, engine repair. Over the years many of his friends came to rely on his vast knowledge of all things mechanical, and he was always glad to help.
Robert truly had saltwater in his veins. During winters when he wasn’t shrimping, he and his brother James commercially gill netted trout in Trinity Bay, and tonged oysters in Galveston and Matagorda Bay. His interests always focused on being outdoors, including fishing as well as hunting for deer, ducks and geese.
Robert was an excellent cook as well. Seafood was a common theme of course, with shrimp gumbo and etouffee being a staple. He often prepared meals for get-togethers with his family and friends, and later in life, he was in charge of cooking huge meals for monthly men’s fellowship gatherings at Old River Baptist Church.
Robert is preceded in death by his wife Sharon, son Steve, sister Sedonia and brother James. He is survived by his son Mike (wife Deana), and their two children Blake (wife Kenzie) and Brad as well as Steve’s wife Judy and their two children Jacob (wife Emma) and Sarah Valdez (husband Kordell) and their children, Kylie and Kayden, as well as special friend Suzanne Hooper.
A visitation for Robert will take place Saturday, April 20, 2024 from 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM at Navarre Funeral Home, 2444 Rollingbrook Drive, Baytown, TX 77521 with funeral service beginning at 11:00 AM. Interment will follow in Osgood Cemetery, 4931 Bayou Blvd, Baytown, TX 77521
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