Robert Keith "Bob" Scribner Sr.

1912 - 2013

Robert "Bob" Keith Scribner Sr. was born June 18, 1912, in Durango, Colo., to Arthur and Ethel Carver Scribner. He passed from this life on Thursday, Oct. 24, 2013, at the age of 101. Bob led a life filled with adventure and achievement and was a true frontiersman. In his teens and early 20s, he quarterbacked his high school football team, played semi-professional football for a time, fought forest fires in Colorado, went on cattle drives to Montana, worked on oil rigs, traveled with an Air Circus as a wing-walker and was good friends with many Indian tribal chiefs. After a time, he entered the transportation business, first as a truck driver and then as a terminal manager. In early 1950s, he was the volunteer fire chief for the city of Farmington. He was on call for any emergency in the area and was credited with saving many lives. Bob began working for EI Paso Natural Gas Company in 1951 as a safety engineer. In 1957, he was transferred to Odessa, Texas, as director of safety and security for EI Paso Natural Gas Products Company. He retired from EI Paso Products Company in 1978, as the corporate safety director. Following his retirement, he began a consulting business and consulted with various companies in the United States, as well as in foreign countries for several years.
Bob was an accomplished wood carver and was featured in several magazines. When the University of Texas of the Permian Basin was established, he was asked to carve the cover of the Founders Day Book. Bob was a Rotarian and served on the City of Odessa Plumbing Board for many year,s in addition to serving as a reserve deputy sheriff in Ector County, Texas. Following retirement, he was often at the American Red Cross facility, conducting first aid training for community members and assisting in any capacity that was needed. Bob was honored as an American Red Cross Person of the Year and was also featured as an Odessa American "Hometown Hero."
Mr. Scribner loved working with youngsters, and he was a Boy Scout leader in Farmington, taught safety lessons to students in many Odessa schools and mentored many young men.
However, his three grandsons were the center of his life. He took them to his mountain cabin (built by him, Nola, and Bob Jr.) in Colorado every summer and taught them life lessons they could have learned nowhere else. From his example, they learned how to enjoy and cherish the outdoors while learning how to cope with any situation. Bob was deeply interested in all the boys' sports and continued that interest with his great-grandchildren.
His wife, Nola, of 61 years; his parents; brothers, Jack and Walter; sister, Melba; and great-grandson, Tyler Scribner, all preceded him in death.
Survivors include son, Robert "Bob Jr." and wife, Barbara, of Odessa, Texas; grandsons Kevin of Odessa, Texas, Steve and wife Lisa of Midland, and David of Houston, Texas; great-grandsons, Sean Scribner of Sherman, Texas, and Taylor Scribner of Midland, Texas; great-granddaughter, Madison Scribner of Midland, Texas; brothers, James and Danny Scribner; brother-in-law, Walter Simmons; nieces, Linda Erwin, Pam Higginbotham and Terry Simmons; and nephew, Dennis Simmons.
The family would like to thank Dr. Le (who became Bob's dear friend) and the Star Hospice nurses for the dedicated and loving care that was given to Mr. Scribner during his last days.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Red Cross or to the charity of your choice.
Interment will be in the Greenlawn Cemetery in Farmington at a later date.
Services entrusted to Hubbard-Kelly Funeral Home, 601 N. Alleghaney Ave., Odessa, Texas, 79761, 432-332-0991.