Robert Earl Pennington, III

Robert "Rob" Earl Pennington, III of Houston, Texas passed away on January 19, 2023, after a courageous journey with pancreatic cancer which he documented on social media, inspiring many with the application of his lifelong philosophy that while you cannot control what happens to you, you can control how you respond to it. His positivity throughout all the ups and downs was extraordinary and he died peacefully knowing he had lived an amazing life.

Born in Beaumont, Texas in 1948, Rob was bred to be a University of Texas Longhorn. He grew up through high school in St. Albans, West Virginia. In accordance with his destiny, he spent 10 years at The University of Texas at Austin where he received a BA in computer science and psychology and a PhD in educational psychology. He was the President of Alpha Phi Omega, the national service fraternity, and received an Outstanding Student Award. After teaching for a few years at various Texas universities, he traveled across the country, guiding personal development seminars with his unique ability to blend humor and practical, psychological insight with spiritual inspiration that touched people of all faiths. In 1980 he moved to Houston to establish a private practice as a counseling psychologist. That evolved into co-founding Resource International, a leadership training and coaching firm with his best friend Stephen Haslam.

Over the years Rob touched numerous people's lives, receiving several awards and recognitions. He received the highest trainer evaluations each year from ExxonMobil employees for 34 years for his multi-day programs Successfully Managing the Stress of Change and Successful Work Relationships. His autobiographical self-help book, "Find the Upside of the DownTimes: How to Turn Your Worst Experiences into your Best Opportunities!", won the Pinnacle award for best self-help, 2 USA Best Book Awards for self-help and best non-fiction, Communication Magazine's Book of the Month and #1 on the list of books Every Man 25 or Older Needs to Read. His 'signature story' of having been shot in the center of his chest by an unknown assailant armed with a 38-caliber gun amazed every audience who ever heard it. He produced and hosted his own TV show in the 80s on Houston's municipal channel, received Mental Health America's Outstanding Speaker Award four times, was honored with the Maestro of Teaching Award from the Universidad de Guadalajara when he taught on their faculty, and was one of Meeting Professionals International's original Platinum Presenters. He has twice been President of the Houston Chapter of the National Speakers Association and was honored to receive their first "Pennington Award of Excellence for Extraordinary and Selfless Service", which is given annually to the Chapter Member of the Year.

He is survived by his loving mother, Frances Pennington of Houston, Texas, kind sister Ann (Dan) McKeel of Murray, KY, and admiring daughters, Lucy (Sid) Hines-Smith of Houston, Texas and Mary (Ed) Hines Droesch of New York, New York whom he embraced as his own when he married their mother and his soulmate, Clair Pennington in 1982. He also adored Clair's former stepdaughter, Jennifer (Rob) Arvin of St. Louis, MO. He leaves behind 5 grandchildren whom he loved very much: Isabelle and Sid Jr. Smith of Houston, Texas, Charles Robert (who he lovingly referred to as Charlie Bob) and Lucy Charlotte Droesch of New York, NY and Samantha Arvin of St. Louis, MO as well as nephews Scott (Julie) McKeel of Paducah, KY, Andy (April) McKeel of Murray, KY, and Joey (Sarah) McKeel of Houston, Texas and numerous cousins. He was preceded in death by his wife, Clair Pennington and his father and war hero, Robert Earl Pennington, Jr. both of whom he lovingly cared for for many years prior to their passing.

Those wishing to honor Rob can make a donation the National Speaker's Association Foundation (nsafoundation.org). You can also honor him by continuing to cheer for his beloved University of Texas football team as he will certainly be watching from heaven in hopes of another National Championship--Hook'em Horns!