Robert Prentiss Viles

Robert Prentiss Viles ("Bob") of Sugar Land, Texas passed away peacefully at home on January 21, 2025 at the age of 79. Bob was a loyal brother, loving husband, encouraging father, and trusted friend. He will be sorely missed, but lovingly remembered.

Bob was the middle child, born on July 27, 1945 in Baytown, Texas. After graduating high school in 1963, Bob attended junior college at Lee College before transferring to Tulane University to earn a BS in biology. He remained at Tulane University to earn a Masters Degree in Biochemistry before attending his first year of medical school at Pembroke College at Oxford University in England. Bob subsequently completed medical school at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston in 1972.

Bob loved working in the operating room as a physician and specialized in anesthesiology. He practiced at Women's Hospital and Memorial Hermann Southwest Hospital. In 1988, Bob endured a near-fatal acute illness, and after a months-long recovery, focused on hospital case management for the remainder of his career.

Bob was a natural leader, serving first as Chair of Anesthesia and later as the youngest Chief of Staff at Memorial Hermann Southwest Hospital. He served at the highest leadership positions for Physicians of Texas, Texas Gulf Coast Anesthesia Society, and Texas Society of Anesthesiologists.

Bob and his wife, Pamela ("Pam"), were married 53 years. They met when Pam intentionally spilled a drink on Bob to force him to talk to her - a completely strategic move on her part after noticing the handsome stranger. They remained avid travelers throughout their relationship and crossed the globe together on many adventures.

Bob was a devoted father to his two daughters, encouraging them to focus on their education and earn graduate degrees. Never once demanding that they follow in his medical footsteps (which would be nearly impossible based upon their grasp of science), Bob supported their desire to find their career passions. He carried that same focus and enthusiasm as a doting grandfather to his four grandchildren.

A natural mentor, Bob pushed everyone to be their best and encouraged those around him to dig deeper. He was a curious soul who loved learning. For example, after deciding he wanted to better understand aviation, he earned his small craft pilot's license. When he realized cooking calmed him, he took culinary classes to learn how to craft gourmet dishes. He loved traveling internationally with friends and family, restoring classic cars, and puttering around his Civil War-era farmhouse in Fayette County.

Wonderfully generous at heart, Bob often anonymously paid for medication for uninsured patients who could not otherwise afford it. For almost 35 years, he invited the staff that cared for him throughout his 1988 illness to an annual lunch to thank them.

After retirement, Bob devoted his time to caring for his wife, tirelessly working to coordinate her care even as his own health deteriorated. The family would especially like to thank the caretakers who brightened many days for Bob: Emari, Fujimi, and Wynter - they were a rich blessing to Bob and his family.

Bob was preceded in death by his parents, Dorothy and Prentiss Viles, and his brother, Joseph Viles. He is survived by his wife, Pamela Viles; his children, Pippa (Viles) Tierney and husband, Tim and Chelsea (Viles) Cutler and husband, John; his sister Susan (Viles) Saxon and husband, David; his four grandchildren Emeline, William, Charles and Eleanor; and his many nephews.

Bob will be fondly remembered for his quick wit, generous spirit, sharp mind, and huge heart. Words cannot express how much he will be missed, but his daughters are especially thankful for the extra years they were given to build memories with him after almost losing him as children.

A memorial service will be held in April.