Robert Goltra Bridges

Dr. Robert Goltra Bridges,79, passed away suddenly and peacefully, Tuesday, November 6, 2012, at his home in Cloudcroft, New Mexico. A reception will be held at 11:00 am Tuesday at First United Methodist Church with a Celebration of his Life at noon. Burial will follow at 1:30 PM in Fairmount Cemetery. Arrangements are by Johnson's Funeral Home.

Robert was born December 20, 1932, the only child of William Goltra and Geneva Bohannan Bridges. Dr. Bridges graduated from the University of Oklahoma College of Medicine in 1958 and completed his residency training of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the University of Texas Medicine Branch Hospital along with the Flexible Oregon Transitional Year at UTMB. Dr. Bridges served his country at Andrews AFB before moving to San Angelo in the mid 1960's. Dr. Bridges was American Board Certified in Obstetrics and Gynecology and is a life Fellow of the American Congress of Obstetrics and Gynecologists. According to his biography noted on the American Medical Association website, Robert was the first in his community to introduce laparoscopic surgery and coloposcopic exams for women. He opened the first Women's Clinic of San Angelo in the late 1970's. One piece of advise that Dr. Bridges listed that was most valuable too him while training to become a physician was " Always be truthful and do no harm". Robert was an avid "Sooner" football fan always taking the heat from his UT peers and giving it back "two-fold". He had a great love for WWII vintage aircraft and air shows. His love of photography and nature rewarded him with numerous blue ribbons. He loved to travel in his RV after retirement and had a great companion, Penni, and adopted a calico cat as his navigator. The mountains of Cloudcroft became his second home were Robert lived life to the fullest. Dr. Bridges is survived by his daughters, Cheryl Bridges and husband Bill Orr, and Diana Bridges. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Commemorative Air Force Headquarters, P.O. Box 62000, Midland, TX 79711-2000 or to the San Antonio Feral Cat Coalition/Animal Rescue Connection (SAFCC/ARC) P.O. Box 692308, San Antonio, TX 78269-2308, or sanantonioferalcat.org/donation.