Robert Clay Caller

Robert Clay Caller passed away in his sleep peacefully from a heart attack early in the morning on 03/06/2022. He was alongside his loving wife Janice at the family lake house, his favorite place in the world, and gracefully with good friends nearby. It was how he would have wanted, but unfortunately it was much too soon.

Robert was the “Rock” of his family, no doubt about it. He was the husband, father, grandfather, uncle and friend we all wish to have. It is rare to come across a man like him. He was the “go to guy” for anything; whether it be sound advice, a round of golf, carpooling the kids, or just cooking some top notch BBQ. The mold was truly broken with him when it comes to building a family foundation and friendships.

Robert’s strength derived from a young age due to a challenging childhood. He was born in Austin, TX on October 3rd 1950, the third child to his parents James and Frieda Caller. He made many moves from Austin to Flagstaff, AZ with a brief stay in Houston throughout his formative years. It’s hard to believe he attended 3 different schools during his eighth grade year, a part of why he became who he was. He finally landed back in Austin and played baseball in high school, a sport he truly loved and shared with his cherished late son-in law, James Wortham. He graduated from McCallum High in 1968. Forced to grow up at such young age, he really developed his nature of becoming the rock he is now known for. He became the buoy in any storm for his family. And, whenever you needed a good dose of reality, he was there to give it to you.

He met Janice sitting behind her in the second grade at Gullette Elementary School in Austin. They would later become the dynamic duo, married for 50 years, that we all know and admire today. They moved to Houston in 1971 when he got a job with Ernst and Ernst, later to be Ernst and Young. He became a partner at the age of 32. In 1987, Robert had the opportunity to become a Managing Partner which required a move to New Mexico. Four short years later, after an incredible amount of work, both NM offices were closed and he would be one of a very few to have the opportunity to move to Denver. He continued to be the rock and worked extremely hard for next 15 years so his family could have the life he wanted them to have. In 2006, he was approached to become the CFO of Bally Technologies in Las Vegas, and on a gamble he took it. This led to 4 years of turning the biggest business challenge he had ever faced around to something viable. Like the rock he was, he made it successful. He was able to finally retire to a dual living situation in Austin, close to his daughters and their families, and retaining a residence in Colorado.

In his free time he enjoyed spending time and playing golf at Castle Pines, Cherry Hills and Austin Country Club. He kept up with all his friends from Houston, Las Vegas, Denver and Austin. He was always up for an adventure and especially loved golf trips, most recently he just played with Denver friends in Palm Springs.

His favorite place in the world was the family place on Lake Travis, his father purchased the property in 1958. With a tremendous amount of effort, and some good luck with the rain, he turned it into the most incredible cabin and retreat that we all know and love. To say it was an enormous source of pride for him would be an understatement. Always a wonderful host, he had an amazing last day entertaining friends and enjoying the new fire pit.

He leaves behind him, his wife Janice and two daughters, Tory and Leslie, along with his three grandchildren; Jake, Carlisle and Haley. His love of baseball extends to his grandson, Jake. He always attended his games with so much pleasure to see the legacy live on. He relished in Carlisle’s cheerleading and Haley’s acting. No matter what event each of them had, he wanted to be there. He was the everlasting rock to his family first and foremost but also to his friends. He will be greatly missed.

There will be a celebration of Robert's life at 2pm on Wednesday, March 30th at the Smith Family Chapel at Riverbend Church; 4214 N Capital of Texas Hwy. A reception to follow at Austin Country Club, 4408 Long Champ Drive.