Robert "Bert" Green

Robert "Bert" Green was a natural leader whose winning presence allowed him to take control of various situations with ease. Equipped with a clear and calculating focus, he possessed a tough-minded, “take charge” attitude. He had the ability to make even routine situations seem exciting, and he was at ease with the role of playing problem solver. Bert always sought out the scene of where the action was. Sociable, analytical and pleasant, Robert was an individual who enjoyed life’s challenges.

Robert was born on July 1, 1918 at home outside of Zephyr, Texas. His parents were Robert Nathaniel Green & Beulah Virginia (Snow) Green. Bert loved and respected his parents deeply. He was raised on a farm/ranch where he picked his family's cotton and plowed the fields behind a mule. Always able to express himself well Bert possessed strong interpersonal skills. He was optimistic in his outlook on life and was able at all times to be open and direct in his communication. Armed with a great wit, Bert was raised to be accepting of others and to implement a strong personal work ethic.

Blessed with a balanced attitude, Bert was able to relate well with others. His occasional role as family mediator gave him the opportunity to ease tense situations when they occurred. Bert was raised with two siblings. He had two younger brothers, Harry Otto and Joe Ray. Sadly, Harry's B17 plane was shot down over the Zuider Zee, Netherlands during WWII.

Bert had a strong desire to be treated fairly and would readily offer others the same fairness in return.

As a young child, Bert showed his creative ability in many ways. He was outgoing and animated. Bert enjoyed new activities and pursued a variety of interests. He took part in basketball.

Known to others as a focused, logical, open-minded and somewhat driven individual, Bert was able to utilize these qualities to succeed in high school. His curious nature was spurred by his ability to maximize his personal learning style through employing a hands-on approach. He was good with facts and had an excellent memory. He enjoyed some courses more than others. The classes taught by his Aunt, Alta Green were his favorites..

Friends and acquaintances found Bert an easy man to get to know, and those close to him would often praise his open, practical style of communication and relaxed approach to life in general. Bert was uncomplicated and straightforward in his relationships, which allowed him to accept people for what they were. Bert & Cumi were best friends with Hugh & Hazel Magers in Abilene. They got together frequently to play Canasta. Some of the friends Bert made when he retired were Maynard Clark, Jeanette Pigg, Mark Dominguez, John Alexander and Mike Wedding.

Bert was attentive to his wife, Cumi who he met at school in Zephyr . He charmed her and others with his gift for being able to give freely and generously. A good listener with an engaging personality, Bert was able to bring pleasure and unexpected humor to the relationship.

Very much like a kid himself, Bert identified with the inquisitive and creative side of his children’s personalities. He was able to direct his energy and spontaneity towards helping his children acquire added common sense skills. Bert and Cumi were blessed with two children, one son, Thomas Harry Green and one daughter, Virginia Lee (Green) Piper. They were also blessed with two grandsons, Christopher Grief and Cody Green.

Bert was a flexible worker who was able to draw the best from others around him. A persuasive individual who was quick to make necessary decisions, Bert’s strengths included being able to think on his feet. He could be a leader who sought impact for his decisions. Gifted with an incredible ability to read body language, Bert was able to positively manipulate situations and motivate others in order to get a task completed. He was a good negotiator who enjoyed new challenges. Bert could multi-task, and he was endowed with entrepreneurial spirit, allowing him to think beyond standard norms when it came to resolving issues in his work environment. His primary occupation was in sales and marketing. He was employed by McCormick & Co. for 33 years before his retirement. Bert was the Sales Manager. He was named Chairman of the Sales Board for McCormick in 1964. He remembered how much he enjoyed the yearly travel to San Francisco on business.

As a lifelong asthmatic, Bert was not able to join the forces during the war. He was an aircraft materials Inspector at North American Aviation during World War II. They built airplanes for the military, specifically the P51 Mustangs crafted in Grand Prairie, Texas. Bert was a cool thinker who could handle himself well in a crisis. He showed leadership qualities and could make tough decisions when he was called upon to do so.

Bert enjoyed his leisure time by taking part in various hobbies. He had something of an artistic flair in many of the things that he did. He put this creativity toward all of his pastimes. Bert loved playing golf and played most every day while he was physically able. He was content to enjoy his hobbies alone but was also willing to share his interests with others.

Because he liked to take risks, Bert was a perfect match for athletics and exercise. He was enthusiastic and confident about these activities. In high school, Bert played basketball. As an adult, his recreational sport of choice was golf. Bert was also a great sports fan and enjoyed watching his favorite events whenever he got the opportunity. Tops on his list was football. He was an avid fan for Texas Tech and Dallas Cowboys football games.

Bert was a gifted problem solver who worked hard to help accomplish group goals. This skill made him a wonderful asset to the various groups and organizations to which he belonged. Always matter-of-fact about what needed to be done, Bert worked steadily to meet any organization’s goals. He was an active member of the Baptist Church and also the Lion's Club.

Bert was a generous man who prized that same quality in others. So it’s little wonder that he was so active and giving in his community. Bert was a member of several community groups, including serving on committees for the Baptist Church and Lion's Club.

Bert held close traditional values and as a result, faith was important to him. He was a member the Baptist Church. Bert was a Deacon of his Baptist Church in both Lubbock and Bastrop, Directed Adult Groups and served on several committees.

Travel and vacations were experiences that Bert truly enjoyed. He preferred to seek out excitement wherever he went and he was partial to vacations that were casual and laid back with an atmosphere of “live and let live.” He was willing to leave his plans open and flexible, just in case something more interesting came along. His favorite vacations were to New Mexico.

Bert was a lover of animals and cherished his pets. He had a variety of pets throughout his lifetime. "Handy" was his gray horse from childhood. Bert always had a Cocker Spaniel and her name was always "Sally". He also had four "Grand Dogs": a Golden Retriever named "Sammy" and three Doberman Pincers named "Rocky", "Picabo" & "Bella". Bert frequently fed the feral cats off his back deck at home.

He used logical analysis of his retirement options in order to ensure his retirement would be fulfilling. Still, he was able to easily adapt to possible changes and enjoyed just having fun and being relaxed. Originally, he retired in Lubbock, Texas but relocated to Bastrop to be closer to his grandsons. In retirement, he found new pleasure in playing golf.

Bert passed away on May 4, 2014 at his Tahitian Village home in Bastrop, TX. He is survived by his son Thomas Green of Cypress, TX, daughter Virginia Piper of Bastrop, TX and two grandsons, Christopher Grief and Cody Green. Services were held at Marrs Jones Newby Funeral Home chapel. Visitation on May 8th & Funeral Service on May 9, 2014. Interment was in Bastrop's Fairview Cemetery.

Bert was the kind of person who could win others over easily. A concrete communicator, he relied on his senses to increase his involvement and awareness of others. He was always able to provide amusing repartee to his friends and acquaintances, offering a seemingly endless supply of quips, anecdotes, jokes and stories. If Bert had a theme song written about him, it might well have been “Don’t Worry, Be Happy.” He enjoyed his life and the experience of living it. This is how everyone will remember Robert "Bert" Green.