Robert Joseph Bruni

Robert Joseph Bruni, age 87, passed away on April 11, 2021 in San Antonio, Texas. He was born on October 26th, 1933 in Laredo, Texas to his parents Leopoldo Edward Bruni and Feliz Refugio Rodriguez de Bruni.

After graduating from St. Edward's High School in Austin, and then from Texas A&M University, Robert served in the US Army’s CounterIntelligence Division in Tokyo, Japan. He did his graduate studies at Fordham and New York City Universities. Robert came back to Texas to pursue the cattle business at his ranch in Bruni, Texas, where he instituted conservation and productive land-use programs on his ranch. The Bruni ranch also introduced various breeds of deer, antelope and fish to Texas. Robert has served on the boards of St. Mary’s University, the Ecumenical Center, the Blood and Tissue Center Foundation, Houston Grand Opera, and Santa Fe Opera.

In 1982, Robert met and married the love of his life, Donna Norton from Asheville, North Carolina. Robert and Donna loved to travel and had homes in Sante Fe, New Mexico, Houston, and San Antonio, Texas.

Robert is survived by his children Robert John Bruni, Katherine Bruni, Elizabeth Bruni, Natalia Bruni-Weatherbie, Jackie Bruni and R. Joseph Bruni II. He is also survived by his grandchildren: Justin, Travis, Josephine, Pearl, Olivia, Dean, Charlotte, Jonathan, Julie Anne, and Jack.

In a 2005 interview, Robert was asked what he would like his children to remember about him. "Well" he said, 'it was a varied life, a well-enjoyed life, and I would especially like them not to forget their Italian-Spanish heritage."