Robert Rawlings Bridges (“Bob”) was born in Kansas City, Missouri on November 27, 1921. Bob was the son of Robert Walton Bridges and Mary Elizabeth Rawlings Bridges. At age 10 their family moved to Ft. Worth, Texas where he grew up and attended Ft. Worth public schools, graduating from R. L. Pascal High School in 1938. Bob attended Culver Military Academy in Culver, Indiana, where he was a member of Black House Troop and graduated in 1940. Bob then enrolled in the University of Texas in Austin where he was a member of Phi Gamma Delta Fraternity and received a BBA degree in 1943.
Immediately after his graduation Bob went to Paris Island, South Carolina and then to Quantico, Virginia where he received his commission in the U.S. Marine Corps. Bob then went to San Diego, California and from there he shipped out to the Pacific with the Second Marine Division in Hilo, Hawaii.
Bob served his country for 22 months including the invasions of Saipan and Okinawa. In 1945 World War II ended and he was home again in Ft. Worth, Texas and married the girl who had worn his engagement ring those many months, Ernestine Ashe (“Teenie”). Teenie and Bob moved to Austin, Texas in 1946 where their two sons were born, Robert Ashe Bridges and James Armstrong Bridges. Bob owned and operated several businesses including Bridges Farm and Ranch Supply, Bridges Lumber Company and Bridges Distributing, which distributed Miller, Falstaff and Jax beer.
Throughout his career Bob was very involved in the Austin Community. He served for 32 years on the Salvation Army Board (one year as Chairman), Vice President of the YMCA, Downtown Austin Rotary Club for 51 years, Travis County Grand Jury (once as foreman), Vice President Austin Chamber of Commerce, Director of a bank, founding member of the Headliners Club, member of the Admirals Club, member of Tarry House for 60 years, and a communicant of the Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd (serving twice on the vestry and once as Treasurer).
An important part of his life was sharing his love of ranching, hunting, fishing, and horseback riding with his family as well as UT athletic events, especially football. He served one year as president of the UT Travis County Ex Students Association. After his retirement, Teenie and Bob enjoyed traveling. They spent many summers in New Mexico and Colorado. They also had several wonderful trips to England, Spain, France and Switzerland, Thailand, Nepal, Hong Kong, Africa, and Egypt.
Bob is survived by his two sons, Robert Ashe Bridges and James Armstrong Bridges. Two cherished daughters in law, Trisha Triesch Bridges and Milly Holmes Bridges. His grandchildren Caroline Bridges Cook (Thomas Westmoreland Cook III), Robert Triesch Bridges (Elise Nolen Bridges), William Ashe Bridges (Noel Marie Bridges), Carter Jesse Crites (Sandra Antoun Crites), Katherine Elizabeth Crites, and great grandchildren: Annie Bridges Cook, Elizabeth Rawlings Cook, Wesley Parks Cook, Thomas Westmoreland Cook IV, Robert Nolen Bridges, Blake William Bridges, Avery Elizabeth Bridges and Marcela Noel Bridges.
The family would like to thank Rose Johns, Stacy Davis, and Louise Sharp for all the time, care and devotion they offered to the Bridges. We are so grateful for their loving service.
A Memorial Service will be held at The Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd, 3201 Windsor Road, Austin, Texas on July 8th at 11am. Donations may be made in Bob’s honor to The Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd Memorial Fund.
