Robert "Bob" Midkiff

Robert Lynn “Bob” Midkiff, 74, passed away peacefully in his sleep on February 29, 2024, of natural causes. Bob was born in Houston to his much beloved parents Lucille and Hulon Midkiff. He was a lifelong resident of the greater Houston region.

Bob graduated from Waltrip Senior High School and then went on to attend and graduate from South Texas Junior College and the University of Houston. He graduated from the University of Houston in 1972 with a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration. After college, Bob worked for several local businesses before passing his CPA exam in 1978. He then became a Chief Accountant for The Methodist Hospital. He left the hospital to begin a long and successful career in accounting and tax preparation with the firm of Schulse Hartwig and Richter. He was the first person at his firm to embrace technology and prepare tax returns using computer tax software, leaving pencils and paper behind.

Bob married Barbara Brown and they had one beloved child, Patricia Elaine Midkiff. As Bob’s only child, Patricia held a very special place in Bob’s heart. He was always grateful for her help and assistance. Patricia has one son, Jakob Midkiff, born in May 2010. Jakob was his only grandson and very special to him. The three of them enjoyed regular sushi outings together and spending time in the fresh air and countryside at Bob’s home.

In April 1991, Bob married the love of his life Joanie Myers Midkiff. Bob and Joanie had a wonderful life together. They enjoyed participating in the Houston Trail Ride, Harris County Livestock and Rodeo and the Houston Farm and Ranch Club. They loved traveling and riding horses together. Sadly, Joanie became ill with breast cancer and passed away in 1994. Their time together was too short. To the day he died, Bob remained devoted in love to Joanie and missed her deeply.

Bob had many passions and hobbies. He liked to play the guitar. He was a good singer. He kept his guitar and songbooks close by in his living room so he could easily play often. He loved playing old country songs for Mom and Dad and they were very proud of him.

Bob and his mother Lucille both had a green thumbs and loved spending time in the garden. Bob was a Master Gardener certified by the Harris County Agricultural Extension Service. He volunteered there often, until the Allison flood destroyed their facility. At home, he used his green thumb to grow many types of indoor and outdoor plants, herbs, vegetables, trees, and flowers. When he moved to Plantersville, he had a large tract of land on which he planted outdoor vegetable gardens, but he had to fight off the deer and hogs from eating his produce. He had a good time riding high on his father’s antique Cub tractor to till his garden and mow the field of grass around his house. In later years, he grew many plants indoors using hydroponics and grow lights.

Bob was an avid reader with a passion for history, especially the Civil War and World War II. He had a library of books on these subjects. He loved having conversations with others about these wars, the generals involved, and how so many of the battles could have gone either way but for luck good or bad. If you started a conversation with him about these wars, you had better sit down because it could take a while.

Bob enjoyed watching sports. Some of his favorite teams were the Houston Astros, the Houston Oilers, the Houston Cougars, the Rice Owls, and the Dallas Cowboys. He was ecstatic about attending a World Series Game for the Astros the year they won.

Bob was preceded in death by his mother Lucille Midkiff (d 2000), his father Hulon Midkiff (d 2005), and two brothers, little Glenn Edward Midkiff (d 1955) and Dennis Ray Midkiff (d 1955). He was also predeceased by his beloved wife Joanie.

Bob is survived by his daughter Patricia Elaine Midkiff and his grandson Jakob Midkiff. He is also survived by his brother and sister in law, Ralph and Sabrina Midkiff, niece Catherine Midkiff, nephew James Midkiff, and nephew Remy Midkiff, his wife Jasmine Midkiff, and their son (Bob’s great nephew) Austin Edward Midkiff.

Bob was fortunate in his life to be a member of the large and loving Hall and Midkiff families. He is survived by many aunts, cousins, 2nd cousins and other relatives who held a special place in Bob's heart. Bob loved attending family events. He enjoyed the company and delighted in catching up with family he had not seen in a while.

Services for Bob will be held on Saturday, March 11 at Pat Foley Funeral Home, 1200 West 34th Street, Houston as follows: 10:30 am visitation, 11:00 am funeral service. Immediately following the service, the burial will be at Forest Park Lawndale Cemetery, 6900 Lawndale, Houston. There will be a reception after the burial for friends and family, details to be provided at the funeral.

Bob is now at peace and in the arms of Joanie and the love of Mom and Dad, and his beloved cat Dennie.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made in the name of Joanie and Bob Midkiff to the Susan Komen organization for research to cure breast cancer. Contributions can be made at komen.org.