Robert Flatt
06/10/1947 - 04/29/2025
Robert Neal Flatt, age 77, passed away peacefully on April 29, 2025 at Brazos Towers at Bayou Manor in Houston, Texas. Born in Wichita Falls, TX on June 10th, 1947, to Bobbie Louise Mansell and Roland Neal Flatt, Robert was deeply loved and never met a stranger.
Always a stellar student, Robert graduated from Wichita Falls High School and earned bachelor's and master's degrees in electrical engineering with Cum Laude and Phi Beta Kappa honors from Rice University. After a brief stint at General Dynamics in Pomona, CA, Robert earned his MBA at Harvard Business School as a Baker Scholar.
Robert is survived by the great love of his life, Nancy Carol Bernhardt Flatt. Robert and Nancy were best friends who met early in high school and went off to Rice together. Married for almost 57 years, they shared all of life's adventures as a team. Robert adored Nancy and was known for dramatic romantic gestures from flowers and jewelry to the inevitable corny poem.
Robert worked at Cameron Iron Works for 31 years, where he rose from marketing to managing oil tool equipment factories including Leeds, England and Sealy, TX before directing the Total Quality Mgmt. program and retiring as VP. He cultivated many deep friendships with colleagues across Europe and loved hosting gatherings – including famous 4th of July parties with fireworks in West Yorkshire!
Robert helped establish the Jones School of Business at Rice and then taught production and operations management as an adjunct professor there for 33 years. Robert was deeply involved with the Rice community, serving as president of the Alumni Association and as a Community Associate of Wiess College in addition to being a devoted Owl's athletic supporter.
At the age of 50, Robert was diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease. Forced into early retirement by his increasing motor challenges, he enthusiastically filled the gift of unexpected time. He and Nancy explored the natural world including multiple African safaris, boat adventures up the Amazon, and cruises to Galapagos and Antarctica. Robert enrolled in photography classes at the Glasscock School at Rice and passionately embarked on a new career as a photographer and author. The community and audience he dove into gave him purpose and genuine pleasure. He loved nothing more than to share his photos with anyone and everyone. Robert published three books of his wisdom and photography, two of which won multiple awards. His photographs were displayed in multiple juried exhibits and several self-portraits are in the permanent collection at the MFAH.
Robert charmed and inspired us all with his "glass half full", "life is good", "don't let anything ruin your day" outlook and perseverance in the face of every obstacle he encountered.
In addition to his wife Nancy, Robert is survived by his son Greg Flatt and wife Sherry Bennett and their sons Ridge and Fenton Flatt; his daughter Jamie Flatt and husband Joey Zamora and their kids Seattle and Darwin Hickey and Magnolia Hickey-Zamora; his sisters Diana Simmons and Monti Haynie and their families; and an extended Flatt/Mansell family.
A celebration of Robert's colorful life will be held at 3pm on Friday June 27 at Anderson Clarke Center at Rice University. In lieu of customary remembrances, donations are welcomed by the family to the Rice Fund at Rice University; giving.rice.edu and/or the Coastal Prairie Conservancy; coastalprairieconservancy.org/donate.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Houston Chronicle on May 18, 2025.

Memories and Condolences
for Robert Flatt

9 Entries

Craig I Jones

June 27, 2025

Robert , you were a truly awesome individual who inspired so many during and after your work life at Cameron. Always relied on for a unique approach to business opportunities and challenges then showing such strength of character in dealing with your challenges and continuing to embrace each opportunity life presented. Rest in peace, we will cherish our memories of having crossed paths with you. Craig and Mary Jones

Donald Wood

June 7, 2025

I remember Robert´s love of photography. We worked together at Cameron and we traveled to Buffalo NY and he wanted to show me Niagara Falls. We were standing at the top and then the next thing I knew he was almost jogging down the stairs to the bottom. We celebrated the walk with a nice lunch.

Amanda Quinn

June 6, 2025

The first time that I met Robert was at Jamie and Joey's house for a family dinner. I had the pleasure of seeing Robert's photos along with a discussion on taking great photos. I appreciated the great passion that he had for his photography. It's a lesson and memory I will never forget.

Bill Shelton

June 2, 2025

I first met Robert around 1992 when we worked on a large North Sea pipeline valve project. He led most every operations initiative at Cameron. He was the consummate educator, teaching most all the classes for the initiatives as long as he could. He was also my professor for Operations Management in the MBA program at Rice University.

Robert was the epitome of leadership and confidence...that with healthy optimism, hard work, humor, intelligence, and innovation we could get through almost anything. These qualities really showed their mettle when he was diagnosed with Parkinson's. It is almost like the Almighty gave him the disease along with the graces to deal with, and even thrive under some very difficult circumstances.

In the end he had a deep gratitude and appreciation for life even though it dealt him a very bad hand and he speaks to us even now that he is "gone".

Eric Wehner

May 31, 2025

The first time I met Robert (around 1982) we were surprised to discover how close our career paths had been. I had been tailing (or emulating) him since high school without knowing it, and continued doing so afterward:
- We both got Engineering Master's degrees from Rice, Robert in 1971, me in 1973.
- We both got our first jreal job at General Dynamics in Pomona, California.
- We both left GD after a few years to go back to Houston and trade making missiles for oil & gas equipment,
- Along the way we both earned MBA degrees, Robert at Harvard and me at the University of Houston.
- We both. worked st Cameron for 31 years. Robert was still two years ahead of me; he left in 2007; I left in 2009.
= Robert was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease around 1999, and I got the same diagnosis around 2008. I got in touch and of course Robert was a wealth of useful information and tips. Every case is different, and mine has not progressed as quickly as his did.

The last time I saw Robert Flatt was at the Rice Distinguished Alumni Awards dinner, where he was a recipient. He was well known as a talker, but Robert' s five-word acceptance speech was short enough to remember: "Life is good! Go Rice!"

Mike Mikulenka

May 28, 2025

Hello this is Mike Mikulenka. The roller coaster cartoon was a creation developed by John Frazier and Robert. Robert wanted to recognize co-workers and friends that he felt made his career at Cameron a success. This was upon his retirement celebration held at DPS DHQ Houston. I am truly saddened to hear that Robert has passed. I worked for Robert at Cameron, off and on, for at least ten years. Robert was one of the most sincere and likeable bosses in my 40 years at Cameron. Robert was always on the lookout for a new adventure to promote Cameron in the best of ways. So now I will say a final farewell to my mentor and friend. God Bless you Robert Flatt, may you dazzle your angels with your original personality, smile and attitude. Blessings to you, Mike

Trina

May 19, 2025

I'm so sad to hear of Dr. Flatt's passing. I have his book on healing and a few of his photos that were displayed at the Jones School, where I used to work. He was such a kind person, and I will always remember him as being nice to me.

Craig Jones ( the English version )

May 15, 2025

Robert, you inspired so many with your positive approach to everything everyday. Oour Cameron family lost so much when you hung up your boots The world has lost not only a good man ,also a character that added enthusiam to so many of our lives that yielded so many positive business attitudes from your unique leadership style . Rest in peace

Mark

May 11, 2025

I met Robert when we both were freshmen in Wiess College. He and Nancy were always a joy to see back then as well as recent events at Rice. His courage and strength while facing his extended health challenges has been an inspiration to all of us who have had the privilege of knowing him since those days in Wiess. Rest in much deserved peace.

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