Bobby Doyle Raatz

Bobby Doyle Raatz of Spicewood, Texas passed away on January 30, 2025 after a battle with bile duct cancer. Bobby was 90 years old. He is survived by his wife Alice Ann Raatz to whom he was married for 67 years.

Bobby was born to Lambert Raatz Sr. and Georgia Welch Raatz on November 30, 1934 in Austin Texas. He attended Austin High School and then was part of the first graduating class of Travis High School in South Austin. After high school he served his country in the U.S. Navy and then in the Naval Reserves.

Bobby had a lifelong passion for building and racing cars; a passion he shared with his older brother Lambert Jr. In their younger years you could find the brothers at the stock car races, many of which were held in San Antonio. It was at the races that Bobby met Alice and the rest was history. They were married on March 16, 1957.

In keeping with his passion for cars, Bobby worked as a mechanic at Andy’s Auto Electric until he was recruited to teach Auto Mechanics to adults as part of the Man Power Program. As a result of his teaching position with the Man Power Program, Bobby was asked to be a part of the staff at a new high school to be opened in South Austin. Bobby was part of the team that opened David Crocket High School in 1968. He worked at Crockett until his retirement in 1994. He was a much beloved and respected Auto Mechanic teacher. Several of his students went on to successful careers in the automotive industry and kept in touch with Bobby over the years.

Bobby embraced retirement. First off, was building their dream home in Spicewood, TX on property bought years earlier. Bobby and Alice moved into their new home in 1997 and never looked back.

Bobby was both hunter and fisherman. He continued to enjoy these hobbies well into his retirement. He also enjoyed gardening and working on their property. Bobby was a voracious reader. He easily read two books a week and had the talent of reading and watching television at the same time. He remembered the books he read years after he read them.

Bobby was a lover of animals, especially cats. He would “adopt” cats that would wander into the property. His beloved cat, Bandit, kept vigil during his last days.

Bobby was preceded in death by his parents, Lambert Raatz Sr. Georgia Welch Raatz; his sister Helen Johnson; his brothers Lambert Raatz Jr. and George Raatz. He is survived by his wife Alice Jessop Raatz; his children Kebra Raatz Albrecht (Greg), Gary Dewayne Raatz (Carol), and Keith Derrick Raatz; his grandchildren Christina Grace Raatz, Kellie Albrecht Carr (Matt) and Connor Christian Albrecht; nephew Jeffrey Austin Raatz; his great-grandchildren James Gregory Carr and Emily Rose Carr.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, April 5, 2025, at 2:00 PM at Spicewood Baptist Church, 7903 County Road 404, Spicewood, Texas 78669.

Those who wish to honor Bobby’s memory please consider a donation to the Tunnel to Towers Foundation.