Robert Joseph Powell

Robert “Bobby” Joseph Powell, beloved father, grandfather, brother, and friend, passed away on May 29, 2025 at the age of 71. A man of deep faith, great strength, and even greater heart, Bob lived a life of service, humor, music, and love.

Born on August 27, 1953, in Wharton, Texas, and raised in Needville, Bob was the son of Otis Wilford “Buck” Powell and Mary Josephine Bohac. His early years were shaped by his Czech-speaking grandparents, giving him Czech as his first language. Despite starting elementary school without knowing English, Bob’s resilience and the help of a translating friend helped him thrive.

Bob grew up on farms, baling hay, boxing, and playing football and baseball. His siblings remember him as the one always trying to steer them right—dragging them to church, convincing them to do "spice tests," and even daring them to pee on an electric fence! Bob protected his younger sister Phyllis fiercely and earned the respect of neighborhood boys with his strength and quick fists in backyard boxing rounds. His brother Paul remembers him as stronger and more athletic than the rest—a born leader, even as a kid.

Graduating at 17 from Needville High School, Bob went on to attend Sam Houston State University in Huntsville, Texas, on a football scholarship. When coaching changes ended that opportunity, Bob knocked on the door of Bonus Burger, where a job—and a life-changing introduction to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints—awaited. Baptized by his manager Alan Bird, Bob’s conversion was profound. Soon after, inspired by a strong desire to serve—and having heard that LDS girls only married returned missionaries—he accepted a call to the England Leeds Mission, where he became a powerful teacher and a lifelong ambassador for the gospel.

Upon returning, Bob resumed his studies at SHSU, where he met and married Paula Stegall. They were sealed in the Salt Lake Temple on August 12, 1978. They earned their degrees—his in Advanced Food Science & Nutrition, hers in Music Education. Together, they raised one son and five daughters: David, Melanie, Melinda “Myndie,” Chelsi, Cassandra “Cassie,” and Carlirose “Carli”.

The early years of marriage were filled with church service, home births, and joyful chaos. Bob worked as a manager at Luby’s and Chuck E. Cheese—much to his kids’ delight—before transitioning to a long and successful career as a pharmaceutical representative. He was known to jokingly tell his children’s friends that he “sold drugs,” a line always delivered with a grin.

Bob never lost touch with his Czech roots and carried that cultural pride into his own family life. Many of the family pets over the years were given Czech names—Putkan (meaning "rat," though it was actually a cat with a curled-up tail), Bojovník or Bojo (“warrior,” a tough little boxer), and Kolache (another cat, named after the beloved Czech pastry). His children also fondly remember that, thanks to Bob, they all grew up calling their belly buttons pupek.

Bob loved to sing. He sang in ward and stake choirs, performed in the San Antonio Messiah for 15 years, and later, in 2017, joined the men’s barbershop group Friends in Harmony, relishing the music and camaraderie.

If you knew Bob, you knew he loved quotes. He had one ready for every occasion—spiritual, humorous, inspiring, or wise. Whether scribbled on a card for all occasions, printed from Kinkos, or delivered with a knowing smile, his favorite sayings reflected the deep well of thoughtfulness and conviction from which he lived his life.

Bob also loved meeting famous people and taking pictures with them. From apostles like Boyd K. Packer and the prophet Spencer W. Kimball, to musicians like The Piano Guys and The Five Browns to political figures such as Governor Greg Abbott and Glen Beck—he was always thrilled to shake a hand, share a smile, and snag a photo for the scrapbook.

He was also an avid volunteer, giving his time to food banks, the Raul Jimenez Thanksgiving dinner, the Church peanut butter factory and peanut farm, the local Czech cultural association, Helping Hands after hurricane Harvey and numerous church callings—including bishopric, high council, ward mission leader, and his beloved roles in Primary and Nursery.

He had a rarer blood type (A-) and was a frequent blood donor. He loved binding books at Kinkos, velcroing anything he could to the walls, and supporting his wife Paula’s Sunshine Generation performing group. Bob was deeply patriotic and committed to his conservative values, volunteering at local polls and actively engaging in his community.

Family was Bob’s greatest joy. He made countless road trips to visit extended family, supported his daughters in every pursuit (often showcasing their singing talents to unsuspecting bystanders), and cherished camping adventures and church history tours across the country. A memorable trip included a mosquito-filled night in Memphis, a visit to New York City just weeks before 9/11, and a resounding family veto when he suggested a side trip to Washington D.C.

Bob was the kind of person who showed up—not just physically, but emotionally and spiritually—especially when life got hard. Whether it was for a niece, nephew, neighbor, or friend in need, Bob never hesitated. He stood as a quiet but unwavering presence during times of grief, transition, and challenge.

In April 2021, Bob endured the heartbreaking loss of his daughter Myndie at age 39, and later that year, the passing of his brother Thomas. Despite his own grief, Bob showed up for his family—becoming a father figure to his nephew Kurt and niece Michelle and a grandfather figure to Dalton.

He is survived by his wife, Ninnette; former wife, Paula; son David; daughters Melanie, Chelsi, Cassie (Mickeal) Hall, and Carli; grandchildren Alan, Bradley, Brooklynn, Jaxon, Aliya, and Nicole; brother Paul; sister Phyllis; nephews Preston, Blake, and Tyler; and niece Michelle and her son Dalton.

He was preceded in death by his parents Otis and Mary Powell, brother Thomas, nephew Kyle, and his beloved daughter Melinda Pauline (Jason) Krause.

And in true “Robert” fashion—because if you knew him, you knew he loved quotes—we leave you with parting words from one of his favorite apostles, Elder Jeffrey R. Holland, whom of course, Dad once met:

“I have spoken here of heavenly help, of angels dispatched to bless us in time of need. But when we speak of those who are instruments in the hand of God, we are reminded that not all angels are from the other side of the veil. Some of them we walk with and talk with—here, now, every day. Some of them reside in our own neighborhoods. Some of them gave birth to us, and in my case, one of them consented to marry me. Indeed, heaven never seems closer than when we see the love of God manifested in the kindness and devotion of people so good and so pure that angelic is the only word that comes to mind.”

Bob’s legacy is one of unwavering faith, tireless service, and abiding love. His children will remember his example of hard work—which helped instill a strong work ethic in them—his sense of humor, his deep faith in the Savior, and his belief that everyone had a story worth listening to.

Celebration of Life services will be held Saturday, June 28, 2025, at 3:00 p.m. at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 2103 St. Cloud, San Antonio, Texas 78228.

The following is a zoom link to watch the funeral services virtually:

https://zoom.us/j/91636553236?pwd=WcbNBtQDRzbJbydbIhbAw2uLpTbgz2.1

All who knew and loved Robert are welcome to attend and celebrate his remarkable life.