Robert Evans Penn III

Robert Evans Penn III of Houston, Texas died peacefully at his home surrounded by family on February 26, 2018, at the age of 91. He was born March 10, 1926, in McComb, MS to Julia McKnight and Robert E. Penn Jr. He is survived by his loving wife of 71 years Margaret; children Alan Penn of Houston (Jeanette), Jim Penn of Fort Worth (Laura), and Sandra Singletary of Huntsville (Richard); grandchildren Rayven Bostick, Ryan Penn (Rachel), Amber Bennett (Shane), Kristen Singletary and Robert Singletary; and great-grandchildren Bryce and Brynnan Bostick. He is also survived by his sister Diane Robinson Smith of Baytown, his brother Robin Penn of Monticello, MS and numerous nieces and nephews.

Bob graduated from Robert E. Lee High School in Goose Creek, TX in 1944. He served in the Army Air Corps from 1944-1945 and was in the Reserves in the Army Air Corp and Air Force until 1953. He was proud to serve and loved his country.

His best friend in the military was dating Margaret’s sister and introduced them in 1945. They fell in love and married August 27, 1946. He considered his greatest achievement in life the love and friendship of his wife and the respect of their children. Their marriage was a loving partnership from day one.

Bob was working as a long distance telephone lineman when he and Margaret were married. Shortly afterwards, they moved backed to Houston where they both worked hard to send Bob to the University of Houston where he obtained a degree in Electrical Engineering in 1955. Bob went to work for Brown & Root in 1951 and remained there his entire career until he retired in 1988. His greatest memories were working on the 23 mile Harold D. Roberts water tunnel in Colorado, designing the electrical systems in several of the buildings at the Johnson Space Center (NASA), and working in the Power Generation Department where he supervised the design of power plants all around the country. He was licensed to practice in 5 states: Texas, Colorado, Arkansas, North Carolina and Florida. Bob was a Life Senior Member in the IEEE and an active member of the Brown and Root Retirees Association until his death.

Bob always put family and close friends before himself. If someone was a friend of anyone in the family, then they were his friend too. He enjoyed playing golf, hunting and designing anything and everything. Bob was a very patient and caring man which made him a great teacher. Whether mentoring his children or helping out young professionals, he always loved spending time explaining how things worked. Bob was also a Master Mason at Park Place Masonic Lodge #1172.

Bob is pre-deceased by his mother Julia McKnight Robinson of Baytown, TX and his stepfather of 7 years Aubrey L. Anderson; his father Robert E. Penn Jr. of McComb, MS; and brother Billy Penn of Baton Rouge, LA.

A Memorial Service and Celebration of Life will be held on March 7, 2018 at the Forest Park Westheimer Funeral Home, 12800 Westheimer in Houston, TX 77077. The family will receive guests beginning at 1:00 before the Memorial Service which begins at 2:00 and also immediately following the Service at the Reception. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital.