Roll Call Tribute
Robert "Bob" Bryant '43 September 23, 2014 8:39 AM
Restwood Funeral Home | Restwood Memorial Park obituary
1038 WEST PLANTATION DR, CLUTE, TX 77531 | 979-297-2121
Robert Link Bryant
November 21, 1922 - September 19, 2014
Robert L. (Bob) Bryant passed away at age 91 on Friday, September 19, 2014. He was born in Stamford, Texas to Bernard and Josephine Bryant. Also in Stamford, he met the love of his life, Billie Ray Wiley Bryant, in kindergarten. They were married for 73 years. He drove the town dry cleaner's delivery truck at age 12, worked in the family's Bryant-Link Company general stores throughout his youth, and was an honor student and outstanding athlete in school.
Bob attended Texas A & M where he was company commander, part of the class of 1943, graduating on an accelerated basis in December, 1942 in order to enter WW II. With a degree in chemical engineering he was commissioned in the Army as a second lieutenant in the 91st Chemical Mortar Company, part of the 7th Infantry Division. He became a platoon leader and 1st lieutenant, made five amphibious landings in the Philippines and Okinawa, was promoted to company commander and the rank of captain.
After three and one-half years active duty, including 26 months in the Pacific Theater, Bob and Billie were reunited and returned only briefly to Stamford, before traveling to Freeport to interview with Dow Chemical. He joined Dow on June 12, 1946. The young couple moved immediately to Freeport before moving after a few months to Lake Jackson, where they joined the First United Methodist Church and started a family.
Bob started his Dow career as a production engineer in chlorinated hydrocarbons, moving into distribution and transportation, and, after being assigned in 1955 at age 33 to Dow's new operations in Rotterdam, The Netherlands, he moved there with his family and became Superintendent of Construction. After he returned with his family to Texas he became Manager of Distribution and Traffic, transferring to Midland, Michigan in 1967. He returned to Texas in 1971 and was named manager of Glycol, Hydroalkyl Acrylates, and Public Relations. He assumed duties as major manager over Marine Operations and Antifreeze Production in 1979, soon thereafter adding responsibilities for Distribution and Planning, Material Handling, Purchasing, Customer Relations, and the Dow Cafeteria. He retired from Dow in 1984 after 38 years.
He was active in church, civic and charitable organizations throughout his working years and retirement, including leadership positions in the First United Methodist Church, President of Lake Jackson Little League, district official of the Boy Scouts, President of the Brazoria County United Way, President of the Riverside Country Club, President of the Brazosport Fine Arts Council during the construction of the Center, President of the Brazosport Nature Center and Planetarium when the facility was being built, Paul Harris Fellow of the Brazosport Rotary Club in 1982, Board of Advisors of His Love Christian Service, Chairman of the Brazosport Fine Arts Council Operating Endowment Fund, Chairman of the Board of the American Waterways Operators, and Vice president of the National Waterways Council.
Bob was among the earliest Brazosport pilgrims to attend the Walk to Emmaus. He participated in his reunion group weekly for 26 years. He taught Sunday School throughout his life and was an active member of the Society of St. Stephen in service to the needy.
In addition to his wife Billie Ray, Bob is survived by two sons, John W. Bryant (Janet) of Dallas and Stephen D. Bryant (Marcie) of Nashville, five grandchildren, Amy Lauten (Brian) of Dallas, John Bryant, Jr. (Angie) of Estes Park, Colorado, Jordan Bryant of Fort Collins, Colorado, Timothy Bryant of Nashville, and Marie Claire Bryant of Nashville, and four great grandchildren.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his name to First United Methodist Church of Lake Jackson
A memorial service will be held at 10:00 AM, Wednesday, September 24, at First United Methodist Church in Lake Jackson, 404 Azalea, Lake Jackson, Texas 77566. Reception in fellowship hall to follow.
1038 WEST PLANTATION DR, CLUTE, TX 77531 | 979-297-2121
Robert Link Bryant
November 21, 1922 - September 19, 2014
Robert L. (Bob) Bryant passed away at age 91 on Friday, September 19, 2014. He was born in Stamford, Texas to Bernard and Josephine Bryant. Also in Stamford, he met the love of his life, Billie Ray Wiley Bryant, in kindergarten. They were married for 73 years. He drove the town dry cleaner's delivery truck at age 12, worked in the family's Bryant-Link Company general stores throughout his youth, and was an honor student and outstanding athlete in school.
Bob attended Texas A & M where he was company commander, part of the class of 1943, graduating on an accelerated basis in December, 1942 in order to enter WW II. With a degree in chemical engineering he was commissioned in the Army as a second lieutenant in the 91st Chemical Mortar Company, part of the 7th Infantry Division. He became a platoon leader and 1st lieutenant, made five amphibious landings in the Philippines and Okinawa, was promoted to company commander and the rank of captain.
After three and one-half years active duty, including 26 months in the Pacific Theater, Bob and Billie were reunited and returned only briefly to Stamford, before traveling to Freeport to interview with Dow Chemical. He joined Dow on June 12, 1946. The young couple moved immediately to Freeport before moving after a few months to Lake Jackson, where they joined the First United Methodist Church and started a family.
Bob started his Dow career as a production engineer in chlorinated hydrocarbons, moving into distribution and transportation, and, after being assigned in 1955 at age 33 to Dow's new operations in Rotterdam, The Netherlands, he moved there with his family and became Superintendent of Construction. After he returned with his family to Texas he became Manager of Distribution and Traffic, transferring to Midland, Michigan in 1967. He returned to Texas in 1971 and was named manager of Glycol, Hydroalkyl Acrylates, and Public Relations. He assumed duties as major manager over Marine Operations and Antifreeze Production in 1979, soon thereafter adding responsibilities for Distribution and Planning, Material Handling, Purchasing, Customer Relations, and the Dow Cafeteria. He retired from Dow in 1984 after 38 years.
He was active in church, civic and charitable organizations throughout his working years and retirement, including leadership positions in the First United Methodist Church, President of Lake Jackson Little League, district official of the Boy Scouts, President of the Brazoria County United Way, President of the Riverside Country Club, President of the Brazosport Fine Arts Council during the construction of the Center, President of the Brazosport Nature Center and Planetarium when the facility was being built, Paul Harris Fellow of the Brazosport Rotary Club in 1982, Board of Advisors of His Love Christian Service, Chairman of the Brazosport Fine Arts Council Operating Endowment Fund, Chairman of the Board of the American Waterways Operators, and Vice president of the National Waterways Council.
Bob was among the earliest Brazosport pilgrims to attend the Walk to Emmaus. He participated in his reunion group weekly for 26 years. He taught Sunday School throughout his life and was an active member of the Society of St. Stephen in service to the needy.
In addition to his wife Billie Ray, Bob is survived by two sons, John W. Bryant (Janet) of Dallas and Stephen D. Bryant (Marcie) of Nashville, five grandchildren, Amy Lauten (Brian) of Dallas, John Bryant, Jr. (Angie) of Estes Park, Colorado, Jordan Bryant of Fort Collins, Colorado, Timothy Bryant of Nashville, and Marie Claire Bryant of Nashville, and four great grandchildren.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his name to First United Methodist Church of Lake Jackson
A memorial service will be held at 10:00 AM, Wednesday, September 24, at First United Methodist Church in Lake Jackson, 404 Azalea, Lake Jackson, Texas 77566. Reception in fellowship hall to follow.
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