Robert L Bennett Jr.

Robert L. Bennett Jr. passed away peacefully in his home on February 26, 2026, next to Janet, his beloved wife of over 53 years, as she read him the Psalms. A pillar of his local community, Bob was Round Rock's City Manager from 1979-2003. He leaves behind a great legacy of service to his city, nation, church, and family.

Born in 1945 in Jackson, Mississippi, to Air Force Colonel Robert L. Bennett Sr. and his wife Doris A. Bennett, Bob and his brothers Dana and Jack spent their youth growing up on military bases all over the world; ranging from Okinawa to Newfoundland and California—sometimes moving multiple times a year. Inspired by his father's service, Bob joined the US Navy and fought in the Vietnam War aboard the carrier USS Shangri-La, specializing in Photographic Intelligence. Upon completion of service, with GI Bill in hand, Bob attended Southwest Texas State University (now Texas State University) where he met his feisty redhead Janet, his "J-Bird", on a blind date set up by dear friends. The two were instant soulmates, marrying four months later. After earning his BA in Geography at SWT, Bob and his bride moved to Texas A&M University in College Station, TX where he pursued his Master’s in Urban Planning.

Bob and Janet moved to their little yellow house in Round Rock in 1976 when he was hired as the city's first Director of Planning and Zoning. Bob would go on to serve a long tenure as City Manager, working under seven mayors over the course of his career. Bob, along with an excellent team of colleagues whom he cherished like family, developed and shepherded the young and burgeoning “one-stoplight city" as it grew from a mere 4,500 upon his arrival to over 70,000 at his retirement. He worked tirelessly, implementing transportation and utility infrastructure improvements, wastewater plants, roads, libraries, and fire stations. He was instrumental in securing the longevity of Round Rock's water supply, while also placing great environmental emphasis on protecting the Edwards Aquifer. Counted among Bob's personal favorite career accomplishments were negotiating Dell Technologies' move to Round Rock and his being instrumental in establishing Round Rock Express Baseball in his adopted hometown.

In retirement, Bob volunteered his time. Serving for more than a decade as a founding board member and Treasurer of the Central Texas Regional Mobility Authority, he helped guide the development of critical transportation projects in Williamson and Travis Counties. In November 2013, the Round Rock Historic Preservation Commission and the Round Rock City Council formally bestowed the Local Legend Award upon him—an honor reserved for individuals who have made a lasting impact on the culture, development, and history of the community. His legacy was further cemented in January 2020, when the Round Rock City Council voted to rename the city's newly opened utilities and transportation administration building the Bob Bennett Public Works Complex in honor of his decades of visionary leadership.

Bob and Janet raised their two children, Hayley and Brooks, in Round Rock. Bob was a dedicated father who stayed busy coaching and playing sports with his children, driving them to Astros' games, camping and fishing in the mountains of New Mexico, mountain biking in Colorado, sailing on Lake Travis, and cycling all over the Hill Country. Bob believed in giving his kids "a lot of chain" to grow as individuals and had a great rapport with his children and grandchildren. Bob had an adventurous spirit and was always brewing up plans for his next trip. By living simply at home, Bob and his family were able to travel widely. After retirement, Bob and Janet globe-trotted and cruised from Antarctica to the Holy Land, from the pyramids of Egypt to the Baltics and Iceland; wearing berets and kissing on the streets of Paris, zipping around Greece on a Vespa, and seeking the perfect Guinness pour in Ireland. He enjoyed visiting his daughter and her family in Alaska; and driving up to Maine to camp, eat some lobster and shoot the breeze with his brother Dana. In his quiet moments, Bob loved studying Orthodox Christian theology and the lives of the Saints. He enjoyed contemplating the deep mysteries of faith, consciousness, prayer, and the human heart. He usually had a story, intellectual or spiritual nugget to share—and always a joke. He was a connoisseur of a moist brisket end piece, a properly aged Scotch, and a good cigar. Add any of the above with some tunes by the Traveling Wilburys, and as Bob would say, you'd be having "A large time."

Bob was a dedicated servant of the Lord and his faith was a top priority in his life. He ensured that his family got to church as often as possible. Bob attended St. Elias Orthodox Church in Austin, serving at times on the parish council, and was pivotal in helping his parish establish a "North Campus" branch of St. Elias near Round Rock—an achievement that he felt was one of the great blessings in his life. He loved discussing his Orthodox faith and had multiple Godchildren whom he prayed for daily.

Together, Bob and Janet valiantly fought his decade-long battle with Parkinson's Disease. He was a dedicated member of the 413 Fitness Parkinson's Boxing Club. Bob received excellent care from the staff of Suncrest Hospice, Royalty Care Physical Therapists, and the Veterans’ Administration Visiting Angels. He was also dutifully attended to at the end by his sister-in-law, Debby Davis.

Bob is survived by wife Janet, daughter Hayley, son Brooks (current Round Rock City Manager), grandchildren Finn, Blaise and Silas (all born in Round Rock and "chips off the ol' Rock") and great-granddaughter Ophelia. He also cherished his son-in-law Matthew and daughter-in-law Katie. Bob is also survived by his dear brother Dana, and his sisters-in-law Gayle and Kandee.

He is preceded in death by his father Col. Robert L. Bennett Sr., mother, Doris A. Bennett, and brother Jack Bennett. He is also preceded by his beloved in-laws, Charles Robert Kerr and Lila Mae Kerr.

May his life, the life Bob and his J-Bird built together, be remembered. May his stories, wisdom, jokes and infectious chuckle never grow silent in our ears—and may his Memory Be Eternal!

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to the St. Elias Orthodox Church - North Campus. Visit:

https://steliasaustin.breezechms.com/give/online and select “Give to Second Campus”

Visitation will be held at Cook-Walden/Capital Parks Funeral Home, 14501 North Ih-35, Pflugerville, TX 78660, US, on March 4, 2026, from 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm.

A Funeral Service will take place at St. Elias Orthodox Church North Campus, 15519 Farm to Market Rd 1325, Austin, TX 78728, US, on March 5, 2026, from 10:00 am to 11:15 am.

A Committal Service will follow at Cook-Walden Capital Parks Cemetery, 14501 North Ih-35, Pflugerville, TX 78660, US, on March 5, 2026, from 11:30 am to 12:30 pm.