Robert Merrill "Bob" Sweazy

Robert Merrill Bob Sweazy LUBBOCK-Robert Merrill Bob Sweazy, 73, of Lubbock passed away on July 5, 2012, in Dallas, of complications following a lung transplant. He was born in Chanute, Kan., on May 11, 1939, to Fred and Mildred Sweazy. He was preceded in death by both parents. He earned both his B.A. and M.S. degrees in biology and chemistry from Wichita State University and went on to receive a Ph.D. in civil engineering from the University of Oklahoma. Sweazy came to Lubbock in 1970 and began a distinguished career at Texas Tech University. From 1970-1985, his focus was on teaching and research in the engineering field; he served as a professor of civil engineering and as director of the Water Resources Center and received in excess of $2M in sponsored research awards. In 1985, he became a full-time member of the university's central administration. In 2001, he was appointed Vice President for Research, Technolog y Transfer and Economic Development for the university, and served in that capacity until his retirement in 2005. He received many academic honors, including being named Engineer of the Year by the South Plains Chapter of TSPE in 1990, being appointed to the Board of Directors for the Texas Board of Professional Engineers by Governor George W. Bush in 2000, and being named Professor and Vice President Emeritus of Texas Tech University in 2007. Sweazy balanced his affinity for academics with a commitment to college athletics. While at Tech, he served as faculty athletic representative for 23 years and as chairman of the Athletic Council for the majority of that time. He was named the Faculty Athletic Representative of the Year by the All-American Football Foundation in 1997. In 2009, the Texas Tech Double T Association awarded him the Coach Dave Brown Award for outstanding contributions to Tech athletics by a non-alumnus. His athletic duties extended beyond the university, as he served on numerous committees for athletic organizations. He held the following notable positions: Southwest Conference President, College Football Association Chairman of the Board, NCAA Eligibility Committee Chairman, and NCAA Division I Vice President. He played an integral role in the merger of the Southwest and Big 8 conferences and then served in various positions within the Big XIIConference. Sweazy was a dedicated member, lifetime elder, and past chairman of the Board of First Christian Church. He served on many committees for the city of Lubbock, including the Parks and Recreation Board and the Community Development Advisory Committee. He and his wife Anne served as co-presidents of the Lubbock Assembly Club and as PTA co-presidents at Honey Elementary, Matthews Junior High and Monterey High School. He was also a member of the Lubbock Club Board of Directors. He is survived by his loving wife of 48 years, Anne Sweazy of Lubbock; his daughter and son-in-law, Suzanne and Cole Dulaney of Dallas; and his brother, Donald Sweazy of Lexington, S.C. A memorial service in celebration of his life will be held Friday, July 13, at 4 p.m. at First Christian Church, Dr. Michael Passmore presiding. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts in his name may be made to First Christian Church, 2323 Broadway, Lubbock, TX 79401, or to the Texas Tech Red Raider Club, P.O. Box 45055, Lubbock, TX 79409.