Bob graduated from Princeton University in 1952 with a degree in Geology and Petroleum Engineering. His field studies were in Wyoming and he joined Phillips Petroleum in Alvin, Texas for a 35 year career that led to working around the world.
Bob was stationed at Elgin Air Force base in Pensacola for a period during the Korean War. He would commute to Houston to see Elmira, his future wife. Bob married the love of his life, Elmira in 1954 in Houston, Texas. Shortly afterwards they began a family with John in Houston. Two years later they moved to Corpus Christi where Bobby was born. In 1960 they moved to Venezuela where Paul was born. Bob’s career would then lead the young family to Egypt. While in Egypt the family was evacuated to Greece for a few months during the Arab-Israeli war of 1967 and then moved back to Venezuela, Oklahoma, Indonesia and China. During these years Bob and Elmira enjoyed traveling throughout the world visiting approximately 70 countries. Bob and Elmira would retire in Lakeway, Texas for 22 years before moving to Coppell, Texas in 2007 to be closer to family.
In his youth, Bob loved to spend his summers with his mother, sisters and his aunts in Southold, Long Island, where he learned one of his many loves, sailing. Bob’s father, an architect, would travel by train on the weekends to be with the family. He was an avid reader throughout his life and could often be found with his face in a newspaper. Bob was also an avid golfer and passed this on to his three sons, who all enjoy the game.
Bob was active in the church, where he was an Elder in the Presbyterian Church, serving on counsels wherever they lived. In retirement he spent 20 years as a volunteer on the Lakeway Municipal Utility district. He was always known to have a warm smile and a calm disposition.
He is survived by his three sons: John, Bobby (Rainie), and Paul (Mary Beth); grandchildren Andrew, Nick, Connor, Ally, Corinne, Madeline, Blake and Jenna; great-grandchildren Jack and Carter. He is preceded in death by his wife Elmira, his parents, Edwin and Helen and sisters, Rosalie and Ruth.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.rollingoaksfuneralhome.com for the Finken family.
