Robert Anderson Till

After a life full of family, joy and love, Robert “Bob” Anderson Till passed away on March 2nd, 2017 peaceful, and surrounded by his family. Bob was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather with a love for family, travel and the outdoors – cherishing every moment of his 92 years.

Humble beginnings born on July 12, 1924 in Elmore Alabama, losing his mother early in his childhood. Bob was raised by his father (a High School Principal) and his oldest sister, Katie Lou. After graduating high school, Bob enlisted into the army/air corps in 1942 to become a pilot, began flight training school, but was later reassigned as the war was coming to an end.

After his time serving his country with honor, Bob attended The University of Alabama (50’) and graduated with an accounting degree and then earned his CPA. He then began working for a national accounting firm that required travel from Houston to New Orleans. These travels brought Bob and his future wife Katie together. Katie was working in New Orleans as a nurse and she created sparks in the mild mannered accountant which soon became the sparks of his heart. Bob and Katie married on September 13, 1952, in Chicago, where this country boy from Alabama met the Quagliano family of Chicago …. Eventually turning his father in law into a real Texan.

Bob approached most things in life with an eye of an accountant, weighing risks and calculating the outcome. He approached his career in this same manner, becoming a partner in a Houston CPA firm, Mohle Adams Guidry Wallace and Till, and eventually becoming managing partner where his oldest twin son, Mike, would one day occupy an office as well as a partner.

Married to the one and only love of his life, Katie, for over 63 years, they experienced a wonderful life together, raising 5 sons, working together to build a future that allowed them to retire and pursue decades of travel with their motorhome club family “The Bluebonnets Travelers ” as well as traveling all over the world. Love of family and of each other was the cornerstone of their foundation.

In his early adulthood, Bob balanced work, career and family. Busy with advancing his positon in the firm, earning lasting and loyal clients, becoming trustee to many client estates; somehow he found time to participate in the boys’ sports even serving as treasurer of the Willow Creek Little League. He also spent seasons as an umpire and supported his boys on the field by endless time catching and throwing a ball in the front yard. Bob was equally passionate about education, learning these values from his father. He and Katie ensured and sacrificed to put all 5 sons through private elementary and high school and this paid off with all graduating from college and a few going on to graduate school and medical school. Katie ensured the catholic and spiritual guidance was hand in hand with the education. My father over time found a place in his heart for religion and God and my mother planted the seed for that personal growth over time.

What I will recall most about my Dad is his love for his family, and his approach to life – we earn what we will in this world but the most valued assets are the people we love. I recall watching my Dad go off to work in his suit, a man that was respected by all, confident, a thinking man, who inside his heart never left the country side of Alabama, but in our world, was the smartest man on the planet and he was our father.

In their later years, my father and mother traveled the world, hand in hand, sometime mile by mile, always looking ahead, and excited about what was around the next mile marker…. this week my father traveled further than ever, and I know he is enjoying the journey.

Bob Till is survived by his wife, Katie, his five sons and their spouses, Mike and Jo Helen, Mark, Rob and Anne, Steve and Gina and Paul and Terry. He is also survived by his grandchildren and their spouses and two great grandchildren; Mike’s child: Chelsea, Rob’s children and grandchildren: Robert III (Erin) and Jack, Alexandra (Mike) and Jackson & Michaela, Steve’s children: Ryan and Nicole and Paul’s children: Brian, Cooper, Zachary and new to the family, Jesse. Bob out lived his brothers and sisters, many friends and professional colleagues and leaves in his shadow a legacy for his children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren to cherish, remember and follow.

Pall bearers will be: Robert Anderson Till III, Ryan Till, Alexandra Cole, Brian Till, Nicole Till, Jesse Cummins, Cooper Till, Michaela Till, and Zachary Till.

Dad, rest in peace and enjoy the country side of heaven.