Robert Knox Mitchell

1977 - 2016

MITCHELL, Robert Knox Robert Knox Mitchell was born at Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio, Texas, on December 16, 1977 - the first of many places that he filled with a booming voice and a joyful noise. He passed away on May 3, 2016. Rob was truly one of a kind. He was never in a room where he was unknown or unheard, or where he did not make a fast friend. He could talk to anyone - he could tell an inside joke to a complete stranger. Rob graduated from Winston Churchill High School in San Antonio, where he was an accomplished and "mohawked" leader of the Chargers swim team. He spent many happy summers at Camp Longhorn Indian Springs, first as a camper, then as an unforgettable counselor, storyteller par excellence, and sometimes black ninja, dancing pirate, freestyle walker, and leader of the Summer of Freedom. Rob always embodied the Camp Longhorn spirit of never fearing to be yourself. He graduated Phi Beta Kappa from the University of Texas at Austin in 2000, and then earned a juris doctorate, graduating with honors from the University of Texas at Austin School of Law. After law school, Rob practiced law in Dallas, Texas, he undertook civic and philanthropic work, such as service on the Board of Trustees of the Warren Center, which supports parents and children with developmental disabilities, and he served his church as an usher and Sunday School teacher. But these good works were only his "day job." In 2010 he found his true calling as a father - at which he excelled. Rob combined a brilliant intellect, a sharp wit, back-slapping humor, and many other traits that drew people to him. Rob was an avid reader and deep thinker with wide interests. He was: a barbecue connoisseur; boot collector; a proud ambassador of Texas in London; a lover of his state's people, places, music, and history; a horns-waving UT Longhorn fan; a Spurs and San Antonio diehard por vida; and a walking catalogue of good music and trivia. These things marked him as outstanding - but they did not define him or limit his true character. Rob was cherished and admired by friends and family for his humility, empathy, and compassion, all of which led him to never fail a friend and to always say a helpful something when it most counted. Rob was a constant and true friend. He is already missed by so many - here in Texas and beyond. Many loved Rob and many he loved, but none more so than his beloved Sarah - his "rock" - who survives him. He is also survived by his beautiful daughters - his proudest achievements - Ella Marie (6) and Claire Josephine (3), as well as his mother, Martha Mitchell; his sister, Alissa Fanning Millsap and husband Adam Millsap; brother-in-law Chris Kirchmer and wife Melissa; his nieces, Catherine Millsap and Kate Kirchmer, and nephews, Michael Millsap and Trevin Sonnier and wife Dixie; and grandniece Adeline Sonnier. He was preceded in death by his brother-in-law Clint Dobson. Memorial service will be at First United Methodist Church Dallas, 1928 Ross Avenue, Dallas, Texas - surrounded by Rob and Sarah's church family - on Saturday, May 7, 2016, at 10:00 a.m. Parking is free on Harwood flat lot and in Bryan Tower. Reception to follow. In lieu of flowers, the family appreciates contributions to FirstFoundation (1928 Ross Avenue, Dallas, Texas 75201) or to Living Water International (https://www.water.cc).