Robert Bruce Symon

Born in St. Louis in May 1927, when Charles Lindbergh concluded his solo flight across the Atlantic, Robert (Bob) Bruce Symon made his journey to meet his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on October 17, 2025. His bride of 64 years, Langston, as well as his brother Goodall and parents Benjamin and Elizabeth Symon were there to meet him.

Bob's life was rooted in the early 20th-century sensibilities of humble devotion to the Lord, his family, and his country. He believed in the basic goodness of mankind collectively and as individuals. He lived his life in an understated manner, despite a record of great personal accomplishment.

Growing up in New Rochelle, NY, he graduated from high school at age 16 before moving on to Yale University for one year. In 1945, he heeded the call of the nation during WWII and enlisted in the US Navy at the tender age of 17, getting his mother to sign for permission. His training at Chicago's Navy Pier in the new inventions of radar and sonar influenced his decision to continue his studies in Electrical Engineering at the University of Illinois when the war ended. Following his engineering degree, Bob graduated with an MBA from Stanford University.

Bob started his professional life with Shell Oil Company where he stayed for 36 years, experiencing various adventures from the geode fields in Utah to offshore rigs in the Gulf of Mexico.

Eventually he was assigned to Shell's office in New Orleans, where he met a young elementary school teacher, Langston Sutter, to whom he devoted his life in 1954. Together they raised 3 children, Elizabeth Richardson (Paul), Jennifer Nettles (Larry) and Robert B, Jr. (Cassie) with whom the family moved from New Orleans, to Connecticut, then to Los Angeles and finally to Houston as Shell moved their headquarters. Every place they moved was considered an adventure, and eventually Bob and Langston enjoyed Williamsburg, Virginia as a second home when their family nest emptied. Bob was devoted to Langston until her passing in 2018.

Bob's life was one of quiet service. Wherever the family lived, he served in the Presbyterian church as Deacon, Elder, Stephen's Minister, and always as a member of the choir and anywhere else the church might need him. Over the years, he would volunteer in youth baseball and football, Boy Scouts, Mission of Yahweh, the Houston Heritage Society, and as a supporter of many other organizations.

Throughout Bob's life, music was a major thread. He had a beautiful trained tenor voice and always sang in the church choir, starting in childhood. As a teenager, he was asked to sing in the Robert Shaw Chorus in New York City, and did so until he left for the Navy. He sang in the Yale Glee Club, several Barbershop quartets, and he helped start the Buckingham Singers in his retirement years. Even after 5 weeks in the hospital with Covid at the age of 94, he pressed on as a member of the Memorial Drive Presbyterian Church Choir and the Buckingham Singers. He sang at church, often as a soloist, at many a friend's funeral and even sang at one of his granddaughter's wedding.

A friend to many, a foe to none, he is revered by those who were fortunate to feel his touch. Bob will be remembered for his kindness, his unconditional love, his generosity of spirit and his humor. Wherever Bob and his wife Langston landed, they made lasting friendships, even in their waning years at the Buckingham in Houston. The "Bob Table" leaves a legacy at the Buckingham where Bob Symon is the last to leave the table of the 5 that gathered there nightly over the years.

In addition to his children and their spouses, Bob leaves behind his grandchildren, Christy Riley (Nick), Tommy Richardson (Jessica) and Matt Richardson (Presley), Caroline Kennedy (Michael), Kim Nettles, Jamie Nettles (Ashley), and Lilly Allemond(Eli) to cherish their "Grandad" as well as 9 great-grandchildren.

In his final months, Bob greatly appreciated those who helped him to continue a full life. The family would like to thank Petri, Brandi, Dee, Mimi, Amalia, Pauline, Phina, Cecei, Barbara, and Edwin, as well as the Buckingham staff, for all the love and affection they brought to our father's care.

A memorial service will be held on Friday, the 7th of November, at Memorial Drive Presbyterian Church at 11:00 AM, in the sanctuary. All who knew Bob are invited.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests with gratitude that a memorial donation be made to The Mission of Yahweh at 10247 Algiers Road, Houston, Texas 77041, or the charity of your choice.