Robert Leonard Walpole

The End of an Era: Robert (“Bob”) Leonard Walpole, 92, passed away on April 11, 2026 in Houston, Texas. A beloved husband, father, and grandfather, Bob lived his life largely and unapologetically, deeming it just days before his death as simply “fabulous.”

Bob was born on May 23, 1933 in Villahermosa, Tabasco, Mexico to Evila Zentilla and Leonard Walpole. He was the oldest of three children, followed by sister Anne and brother Richard. By his fourth birthday, Bob and his family had relocated several times: first to Veracruz mere months after his birth, then back to Villahermosa, and then to Guatemala City. The early experiences of nomadic adventure studded his life for decades to follow. His father’s (and later in life, his own) career as a Geologist with Shell afforded Bob the opportunity to live in some of the most beautiful corners of the world including New Zealand, Australia, Ecuador, Venezuela, and Colombia. As a young teen, he traveled alone to Canada to enroll in the Bishop Ridley College boarding school, from which he graduated high school in 1951.

Inspired by his beloved father’s esteemed career, Bob earned his Bachelor’s degree from the University of Toronto and Ph.D. from the University of Illinois, both in Geology. He further followed in his father’s footsteps by hiring on as a Geologist with Shell in Corpus Christi, Texas. He remained employed with Shell for the duration of his impressive career.

It was in Corpus Christi that Bob met the love of his life, Peggy Goodwin, a transplant from Crossett, Arkansas and single mother to two very young daughters, Leslie and Stacey. Bob and Peggy married on December 20, 1963, and he legally adopted Leslie and Stacey shortly thereafter, raising them as his own. Like his father before him, Bob led his family through several relocations to Miami, New Orleans, and Houston. Following his retirement in 1993, Bob and Peggy designed their dream home in the idyllic mountains of Santa Fe, New Mexico, where they lived for 25 years before returning to Houston where he and Peggy spent his final years surrounded by their daughters, grandchildren, and great grandchildren.

A lover of classical music, Bob was an accomplished violinist, often performing with the Santa Fe Community Orchestra and proudly passing his expansive musical knowledge to his oldest grandson, Kyle. He also loved classic movies and never turned down an opportunity to re-watch “Lawrence of Arabia”. He was a talented orator and was rarely found speechless – in fact, he was often the most charismatic storyteller in the room. His family dubbed him “The Most Interesting Man in the World,” and he often told his grandchildren “I know almost everything,” with a mischievous twinkle in his eye.

Bob was preceded in death by his parents, Leonard and Evila; siblings, Anne and Richard; grandson, Robert; and great-granddaughter, Kyndell. He is survived by his devoted wife of 65 years, Peggy; daughters, Leslie Wilding (Stuart) and Stacey Ziems (Larry); niece, Kim Buck; nephew, David Nuttall, grandchildren, Kyle Cowart (Emily), Jennifer Gonzales (Ernie), Melanie Shannon (Wayne), and Taylor Wood; and four adoring great-grandchildren. A private ceremony will be held to honor the life and legacy of a man none will soon forget.

To know Bob was to know enjoyment in its truest form. Art, music, literature, poetry, philosophy, travel, good food, great wine – Bob loved life deeply, and he never shied from the opportunity to expand his portfolio of experiences. The loss of his enigmatic charm and all-encompassing warmth will be felt by those who loved him dearly for years to come.

“It is the secret of the world that all things subsist and do not die, but retire a little from sight and afterwards return again.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson