Robert Wilson Heard

Robert "Bob" Wilson Heard was surrounded by loved ones as he passed away on January 25, 2015. Carol, his wife of 63 years, and his children and grandchildren gathered around his bedside to celebrate the life of their loving patriarch. Throughout his life, Bob made each person he met feel truly special. To quote him, "When I die, all I want people to remember about me is that I cared." Bob leaves this loving memory with his wife Carol; their children, Tony (his favorite child) and Donna Heard, Clint (his favorite child) and Rose Heard, James David Heard (his favorite child), and Kristina Heard Dupre (his favorite child); Grandchildren, Tara Heard, Robert A. Heard, Hannah Heard, Kino Heard, Lina and husband, Bryan Miller, Bettina Heard, Evan Dupre, Maxwell Heard, Marshall Heard; Great-Grandchildren, Dylan, Devan, Rylea, Brody and Karma; sister, Bernice "Bunny" Heard and many nieces and nephews. Bob was preceded in death by his parents, Wilson and Kathleen Heard; brother, Vincent "Binky" Heard, and sister, Betty Heard Toudouze.

Bob was born on August 20, 1929 in Refugio, Texas. He worked on his father's cattle ranch until leaving to attend Allen Military Academy. He graduated from Texas A&M University-Kingsville in 1951, and married Carol Nelson. After serving in the Army during the Korean War, Bob returned to Refugio where he worked as a rancher in Bee and Refugio counties. He was elected County Commissioner in Refugio County in 1963. He later organized and served as the Executive Director of the South Texas Cotton and Grain Association in Victoria, Texas from 1963-1972. He moved his family to San Antonio in 1972, where he continued his agriculture career, and served as a long-time member of the Southwest Texas Cattleman's Association. Bob was appointed to the National Cotton and Grain Committee for the United States Department of Agriculture in Washington, D.C. under three different presidential administrations. He was also very involved in agricultural research and education, and served as a member of the Chancellor's Century Council and Project 2000 for The Texas A&M University System. A devout Catholic, Bob served his faith as a member of the Board of Trustees for the Oblate School of Theology in San Antonio, Texas, numerous board positions, and volunteer work throughout the church and his community. He will be remembered for his humor, generous heart and warm smile. He was a warm-hearted, hard-working, loyal and true cowboy.

FUNERAL MASS AND CELEBRATION

FRIDAY

JANUARY 30, 2015

6:00 P.M.

OBLATE SCHOOL OF THEOLOGY CHAPEL

285 OBLATE DRIVE

The burial service will be held in Refugio, Texas at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Oblate School of Theology in San Antonio, Texas.