A true son of Round Rock, Bob was born in the downtown family home on February 24, 1935, to Katherine Ischy and Eugene W. “Tiny” Bradley. Excelling in sports and academics, Bob also demonstrated leadership skills at an early age. He organized the first student council at Round Rock High School and was elected its first president.
In 1957, Bob earned a Bachelor of Business Administration in personnel management and industrial relations from the University of Texas at Austin. After graduation, he moved to Dallas where he was employed as a data programmer/systems analyst by the Dallas ISD. There, he met SMU coed, Jerilyn “Jeri” Gaddis who was so impressed by the cleanliness of his apartment on her first visit, she decided then and there she would marry him. They were wed on July 1, 1961.
Early on, Bob anticipated the future of computing and undertook to satisfy the requirements, including a six-hour exam, to earn a Certificate of Data Processing from the Data Processing Management Association. He returned to Central Texas for what would be a lifelong career in state government, beginning as a systems analyst in the State Auditor’s Office. Subsequently, he served at Texas Parks and Wildlife as director of data processing for six years, and then, as director of administration for another five years. In October 1978, after a short period as administrative director and acting executive director of the Texas Commission on the Arts and Humanities, Bob was appointed executive director of the Board of Accountancy, an agency where Jeri was already employed. The skills of both were considered so important to the agency; the Board’s rules regarding nepotism were set aside.
At the helm of the Accountancy board, Bob was the guiding force behind computerization of all Board licensing and examination records, as well as the automation of many other Board operations. Bob became very active in the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy and was a leader among the administrators of NASBA’s 54 jurisdictions. As the first chairman of the NASBA Committee on State Board Administration, and the head of the only state board to have computerized its licensing and examination records by 1981, his counsel was often sought by his peers at other accountancy boards. He was considered a leader, crusader, and someone who cared about the future of the accounting profession. He was elected NASBA Administrator of the Year. Bob retired from state government in 1991. Bob was a proud and devoted father, coaching various Little League teams and cheering for his son Scott on the baseball field or his daughter Margie in the gymnastic gym. Both Margie and Scott followed their dad’s footsteps as graduates of Round Rock High School. His grandchildren inspired the same interest from their Paw Paw. Even in the sweltering Texas heat, Bob was the biggest fan in the softball and baseball stands. His love for baseball continued and he was one of the original and ongoing season ticket holders for the Round Rock Express.
All who know Bob well can attest to how he enjoyed hosting the family Thanksgiving dinner at his big Round Rock home. Family members of both Jeri and Bob’s families, neighbors, and guests gathered year after year, watching kids multiply, grow, and start having their children to run circles around the kitchen. Somehow, the turkey and dressing was always ready to serve just in time for the Cowboy game halftime, for which Bob took full credit, even though Jeri did the cooking. He got away with it because we knew how he loved to tease – and the twinkle in his eye always gave him away.
While health issues took their toll during later years and he had to give up tennis, golf, and other athletic pursuits, Bob never lost his sense of humor, quick wit, or quiet patience with the young. The kids loved adventures with Bob, like searching for Indian arrowheads or feeding the chickens he raised. He also continued to enjoy the thrill of the hunt at auction and estate sales, knowing that a good deal or unique item was just waiting to be found. .
Bob is survived by his devoted wife Jeri, sister Mary Katherine “Kathy” Perry (Jim), brother Fred Bradley (Marlene), daughter Margaret Elizabeth “Margie” McVey (Steve), son Scott Bradley, grandchildren Amanda Best (Connor), Jason McVey, Shelby Bradley, Trevor Bradley, and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins. All mourn the passing of this sweet man.
Funeral services will be Sunday, January 12, 2014 at 2 p.m. at Cook-Walden/Capital Parks in Pflugerville. There will be a visitation on Saturday, January 11th from 5-7 p.m. also at Cook-Walden/Capital Parks.
To share memories of Bob with his family, please visit www.cookwaldencapitalparks.com
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