Robert Austin Milner

Robert Austin Milner passed peacefully on Sunday, March 5, surrounded by his family.

Son of Bartow Earl Milner and Effie Lee Bond, Bob was born on August 29, 1923, in Haynesville, Louisiana, the third of four children. He served in the Army Air Corps for three years during WWII, flying a P-51 Mustang fighter plane, which he named "Little Rebel," a nickname he had earned during training.

Following his service, he earned his petroleum engineering degree at the University of Oklahoma, where he met his bride of 68 years, Frances. His 30 year career took the adventurous couple from Oklahoma to Texas and New Orleans, before landing in Kingwood in 1973.

An engineer through and through, Bob was always busy creating solutions to problems...how to keep the squirrels from getting his tomatoes or build the most perfectly fitting window covers to put up during a hurricane. He also utilized that detailed perfection of an engineer's mind when building toy marionettes and skateboard ramps for his grandchildren and in the recipe development for his famous blackberry jam. He had a lifelong love of learning, reading and education that he instilled in his children and grandchildren and they all fondly remember the pop quizzes and spelling bees he would have prepared for them in order to earn their afterschool treat.

Bob had many hobbies and passions throughout his life, including golfing, fishing and gardening, but nothing brought him more joy than his family and friends. He loved his daily trips to Embody for a walk on the treadmill, coffee and conversation with his fellow "gym rats." He equally loved following up his morning at the gym with a trip to Cracker Barrel, where he fostered many friendships over his daily breakfast of the "Bob Special."

His sense of humor, quick wit and kind and loving heart earned him admiration and friendships with all who met him, and for many, he became much more than a friend, but a mentor and father figure as well. No matter what you knew him by, Bob, Daddy, Mr. Milner, PawPaw or "Old and Ugly," he was one of those special people who truly was loved by all.

Bob is survived by his loving wife, Frances; daughter Terry Kelly and her husband Allen; daughter Linda Davis and her husband Steve; grandchildren: Brett, Jennifer, Brandy and Amy; and five great-grandchildren. They, along with many more family and friends, will cherish their memories of Bob, the love he constantly showed and the lasting impact he made in their lives.

A Celebration of Bob's Life will take place on Saturday, March 18, at 4pm at Kingwood United Methodist Church and be followed by a reception. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the charity of your choosing.