Robert Gene Tribble

Robert Gene Tribble passed away on the 31st of March 2011 in Houston, Texas, at the age of 87. Bob was born in Soldier, Kansas, on the 11th of July 1923, to John Lee and Iva Blanche Tribble. He was the youngest of four brothers.

Bob served in the U.S. Navy, volunteering for the V-5 Naval aviation program from 1943 to 1945, where he flew the F4F Wildcat and the F4U Corsair. After being honorably discharged, he returned to Kansas State University, graduating in 1947 with a BS in Electrical Engineering. In May 1948, he was appointed Lieutenant (Junior Grade) in the USN Reserve, serving until June 1959.

Bob began his career with Cities Service Oil Co. in 1947. He was responsible for drilling and production operations in south Louisiana and the Texas Gulf Coast for 40 years, retiring in 1987. After retirement, Bob enjoyed hunting, fishing and traveling, but mostly he loved to play golf with his friends at Braeburn CC. He was also active with Memorial Drive UMC and with Mended Hearts.

Bob is survived by his loving wife of 64 years, Twyla; daughter and son-in-law, Nancy and Stacy Owen of Houston, Texas; daughter and son-in-law, Tricia and Dave Wilkens of Meadows Place, Texas; and his three grandsons, Matthew Robert Wilkens, Lucas David Wilkens and Andrew Tribble Wilkens, whom he loved dearly. A devoted husband, father, grandfather and friend, Bob leaves us blessed for having known him. A special thank you goes to St. Luke’s Hospital Cardiac Care Unit, to Tammy Mills, Director of Texas Home Care Partners, to Vitas Hospice Care and to the nursing and professional personnel.

Friends are cordially invited to a visitation with the family from five o’clock in the afternoon until eight o’clock in the evening on Monday, the 4th of April, in the Library and Grand Foyer of Geo. H. Lewis & Sons, 1010 Bering Drive in Houston.

The interment service is to be conducted at half-past noon on Tuesday, the 5th of April, at Memorial Oaks Cemetery, 13001 Katy Freeway in Houston, where all are invited to join the family at graveside. A celebration of Bob's life is to follow at two o'clock in the afternoon during a memorial service at Memorial Drive United Methodist Church, 12955 Memorial Drive in Houston, where the Rev. James H. McPhail is to officiate. The family will greet friends during a reception immediately after the service.

In lieu of customary remembrances, the family requests that contributions in Bob’s honor be directed to the American Heart Association, P.O. Box 841125, Dallas, TX., 75284; Memorial Drive United Methodist Church, 12955 Memorial Drive, Houston, TX., 77079; or to the Kansas State University Foundation, in memory of Robert Tribble, 2323 Anderson Ave., Manhattan, KS., 66502.