It's been a year since I heard your voice. Oh how I always enjoyed our phone calls...while none were long, they were always cherished. I can hear you saying 'Dr. Bulls',  and that would bring a smile to my face...and I'd respond 'Hotshot' and we'd talk about the many special friends you still have in Paris who love you, like I did and still do. I know you are fully restored now and thankful for the times we enjoyed and calls made.

I first met him in 1972 when I joined his Biology department at DeKalb College.  He was Dept. chairman and we became close friends along with English Dept. head Gary (Buzz) Roseman .  We were joggers and ran 2-3 miles every noon.  The 3 of us grew close over the  years and hated it when he decided to return to his native Texas and work as a microbiologist for Alcon Labs in Fort Worth.  Our friendship continued as we corresponded by phone often and realized how much we loved one another.  Rest well, my brother.  I will never forget you.

Robert L. Abshire, Ph.D. was a friend of mine and colleague for more than fifty years.  He and I were faculty members at DeKalb College for several years and while at DeKalb, I named him "Slick." A term of endearment as I referred to him from then until his death. As we were walking down the hallway on the campus one day early on, and we had not yet met, Bob walking slightly ahead of me, I called out, "Abshire slow down, I'm trying to comb my hair using the seat of your pants as a mirror." He was coatless and wearing his shiny new double-knit polyester suit. He eventually forgave  me for that remark, but he also said, later on, that he never wore that suit again. And that was the beginning of a long and beautiful friendship. Although he lived in Texas and I in Georgia, we kept in touch with frequent phone calls and emails over the years. We formed a sort of jogging club at DeKalb College which included Bob, Chuck Croneberger, who became another close friend, and an occasional NFL player who, in the off-season, would jog around with us. These are just a few examples of our time together. On one  birthday card I sent to him, I called him a "treasure." Slick never forgot that and he would say to me "I love you like a brother." We were like brothers.

Bob was a dear friend. We knew each other for almost 50 years. We worked together for Bob's entire career at Alcon Laboratories. In 2010, Bob, Gerald Cagle, Joe Hiddemen and I met regularly for lunches to catch up [30+ lunches over 10 years]. Bob, Cagle and I were fellow microbiologists and often worked on projects at Alcon requiring our specialty. Bob was a wonderful man and a formidable microbiologist. His family and friends should be very proud of the man from Paris, Texas.  I will miss him.
Barry A. Schlech, Ph.D.

Mr. Abshire was an amazing and cheerful spirit. He made such a loving difference in my life. He brightened many days and I know he's living his best eternal life in Heaven because he truly deserves it. <3

Bob was good worker and loved by all at Alcon  A colleague and friend.. We will miss you, Bob and your humor and good advice. Loves your family and friends.
Ole  lorenzetti

My condolences to my friend’s family and friends. Coach Abshire gave  me a chance to continue playing baseball by offering a PJC scholarship in the summer of 1964 
Though he moved on before we played a game. He kept up with and was an  encouragement to his recruits. He and I have sporadically kept in touch for a long time but regularly for the recent years. He came to a ‘66 Dragon get together at my home a few years back. He called in last year to talk with everyone. We all felt fortunate that Coach Abshire cared about us. His Christmas cards will be missed as well as that friendship 
May God’s love, mercy, and grace be upon us all!
Ernie McAnally

Where do I begin? I’m so blessed to call “Hot Shot” my friend, a hero, and someone who I admired deeply. The visits to Paris, phone calls, the signature close of the call ‘bye’, and the endless stories about growing up in Paris, his time paris High and Paris Junior College (and the time he washed his family’s underwear and colors and whites were mixed yielding pink!)
The extra mile he went for those student athletes he signed to play baseball for the fall ‘64 though he left to join Campbell’s Soup endeared him from that day forward. 
My life is so blessed and richer because of Robert’s friendship. He will always be one of my favorite alumni and former faculty of PJC and I’m grateful to have had the opportunity to celebrate him as a Distinguished Alumnus. 
My deepest sympathies to the Abshire family.

I'd always smile when Bob came into the room. I knew there'd be a joke, a crazy observation, or just a greeting that made you know he was genuinely glad to see you. I met this understated sophisticate on the first year I worked with Alcon and he always made me feel as if we'd been colleagues for decades. Although he was wicked smart, his demeanor was the same with a company president as well as the gardener. Humble to the end, I hope I can extend the same humility shown by this gracious gentleman to those I encounter. RIP my good friend.

OBITUARY

Robert Louis Abshire

April 17, 1933 – August 30, 2024

Shannon Rufe Snow Drive Funeral Chapel

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