Robert (Bob) Erwin, of DeSoto, Texas passed away on December 11, 2020. After two years of courageously battling an extremely aggressive cancer, he passed at home with his beloved wife of 59 years, Betty, by his side.
Bob was born on May 8, 1940 in Aransas Pass, Texas to Gene and Francis Erwin – their first-born child and first-born grandchild to their parents. As a boy he lived in Aransas Pass then moved with his family to Baytown, Texas where his father was instrumental in the construction and operation of the Exxon (then Humble Oil) refinery in that town. He had wonderful childhood memories there. Fast forward to the year 1956.. in the halls of Lee High School, a shy, blushing 16-year-old Bob asked a gregarious Betty Lou to an Elvis movie, “Love me Tender” at the iconic Brunson theater on Texas Avenue. She knew there was something incredibly special about Bob. Romance blossomed as these two love-struck teenagers had their first kiss at of an out-of-town football game that fall. It may surprise you to know that these two strait-laced teenagers skipped school to drive to Galveston for a romantic picnic on the beach. Love can make you bend the rules. Inseparable, these two formed a bond that would last a lifetime. From splitting shakes at the Scarborough drug store counter, where Bob would pinch Betty’s straw if he thought she was getting more than her fair “shake”, to walking down the aisle of matrimony, to giving birth to and raising three amazing kids, to teaching Sunday school, to three beautiful grandchildren, these two created a life well lived and are bonded eternally in pure and perfect love.
A brilliant mind was Bob’s birthright, and his education, career and legacy reflect this. After obtaining a degree in electrical engineering from the University of Texas in 1962, he joined the Texas Power and Light organization at a local office in Sherman, Texas. The company changed names, but he never left – a true company man. He was promoted at a steady rate and ended his career as an executive in the downtown Dallas division of what is now TXU Energy. Ironically, after retiring, his career soared to new heights as a consultant for a wind energy company. Bob designed and engineered wind farms with 100s of turbines that will forever make an impact on sustainable energy -a fine gift to leave this planet in crisis from climate change.
Bob was cherished by many people. Extraordinarily kind and gentle, some of his former employees reflect on him as not only the best boss they ever had, but also the kindest man they had ever met. He taught his family the importance of integrity, hard work and faith. And with his engineer skills, he literally could fix anything around the house (his or others). He was the go-to guy. He also was a beloved asset to their church home, Faith Bible Church in DeSoto, for many years. Not only did he and Betty impact 100s of young lives as Sunday School teacher over the years, but Bob was a deacon with many responsibilities. He oversaw the installation of security systems and managed detailed, technical projects. He was a staple as a greeter to the newcomers and an usher during the Sunday service. His faith was unshakable. To say Bob was loved is an understatement. He was adored, admired, and respected. If you knew him, you loved him. Not a lot of people can say that.
He was a loving father and grandfather who always took care of his children and did the best he could to teach and guide them. They looked up to him with respect and gratitude. The love between them was tremendous. If you needed him, he would drop everything to be there.
He and Betty had many friends and would spend vacations in beautiful places with other families. The Callaway and Lewis families of Tyler were their mainstay vacation team. They saw many wonderful places together. Bob and Betty also traveled to the Holy Land with the church. It was their most sacred, memorable vacation.
Bob loved animals and had a full-time job as a rotating dog sitter for multiple grand-dogs and one great-grand-dog. His bond with the dogs showed his gentle nature and love. During his illness, he often had a dog directly on him while he was napping. They knew.
Out of all his accomplishments in life, his love for his wife Betty, his high school sweetheart was by far his greatest. They modeled to the world, and more importantly, their children and grandchildren, the true reason why we are all here - to love one another, that love is the only commodity that grows when you give it away. Those who witnessed the love between them knew they were seeing something extremely real and rare – the power of altruistic, unconditional love. There is no better legacy.
Bob is preceded in death by his parents and brother Alan Erwin. He is survived by his wife Betty, children Lori McNutt (Robby) of DeSoto, Stephanie Erwin (Suzanne) of Austin and Bobby Erwin of DeSoto; grandchildren, Kenzie Kowalski (Brenden) of Fate, Cameron and Wesley McNutt of DeSoto; brother Gary Erwin (Liz) of Baytown; sister Beth Howell (Hugh) of Mont Belvieu; and sister-in-law, Gay Erwin of Austin; a host of other beloved extended family and friends; grand-dogs Roscoe, Kema and Little Man; great grand dog Max.
Visitation services will be held Wednesday December 16th between 4:00 and 8:00 PM at Laurel Land funeral home, 6300 R L Thorton Frwy, Dallas.
Funeral services will be held Thursday December 17 at 10:30 AM at Faith Bible Church, 1437 W Pleasant Run, DeSoto .
He will be laid to rest at Little Bethel Cemetery in Duncanville.
His favorite quote to live by: “Do all the good you can, in all the ways you can, to all the souls you can, in every place you can, at all the times you can, with all the zeal you can, as long as ever you can” John Wesley
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In Lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Wounded Warrior Project. Dad's paralysis during his illness gave us all a new perspective on the cost of our nation's freedom.
https://tinyurl.com/Wounded-Warrior-Donation
Or as an alternative, St Jude Children's Hospital
https://tinyurl.com/St-Judes-Donations
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