Roll Call Tribute

Published in (San Antonio) Express-News on Jan. 8, 2017

Robert Samuel Spiller(1949 - 2016)
March 30, 1949 - December 30, 2016
Robert Samuel Spiller passed away on December 30, 2016 at the age of 67. He is survived by his beloved wife of 37 years, Kay Sanderson Spiller. Bob was full of life; he was an inspiration of kindness and generosity. His laugh and energetic spirit were contagious.

Bob was born on March 30, 1949 in Austin. He grew up on Park Boulevard with five siblings and large group of neighborhood friends that he called the "Waller Creek Gang". In his early years and throughout high school, Bob spent his time playing football, running track, and playing drums in a band. He graduated from St. Edward's High School in 1967.

Bob attended Texas A&M University at College Station, Class of 1971, and received a Bachelors of Science in Petroleum Engineering. While in college, he lettered in the first Aggie weight lifting club which he and his friends established. After graduation, he would remain dedicated to his Alma Mater. In 1981, Bob funded the Mr. and Mrs. Horace Guy Spiller, Sr. scholarship for the Department of Petroleum Engineering. In 1994, he was appointed as a board member of the first Petroleum Engineering Industry Board. The board was responsible for enriching the department's curriculum and in 1999 he became an Emeritus member. Aside from that, he loved following Aggie football.

After graduating college, Bob worked for Monsanto as an Engineer on an offshore oil rig. He soon returned to Austin to establish Caldwell Oil & Gas with his father and brother, Jay. In 1976, Bob relocated to San Antonio as an independent oil and gas operator which later evolved into Spiller Operating Co., Inc. Bob was fascinated with geology and was truly passionate about his line of work. Among his many memberships, he belonged to the American Association of Petroleum Geologists and the Society of Petroleum Engineers.

In 1975 Bob met Kay at Scholz Beer Garten and in 1979, this devoted Aggie married his Longhorn bride. (To mark their 30th wedding anniversary, there is a brick laid in the Scholz Beer Garten at the exact spot where Bob met Kay in remembrance of that special day.) While residing in San Antonio for 35 years, Bob and Kay raised their three children. In 2014, they moved back to the Austin area.

Bob had a deep love of family and was strong in his Catholic faith. He instilled the same values in his family and was a true source of encouragement throughout their lives. He valued his friendships and held many lifelong friends. Bob was enthusiastic about reuniting with people and relished trips down memory lane. He took pleasure in building new relationships and thrived on the excitement of meeting and talking to people. We are so thankful for the love he shared and the memories we will have as we continue to carry him in our hearts.

Bob was preceded in death by his parents, Horace Guy and Frances Caldwell Spiller; brothers, Horace Guy Spiller Jr. and John Spiller. He is survived by his two daughters and husbands, Christy and Kevin Dusek, and Virginia and Gregory Roberts; son, Robert Spiller Jr.; grandchildren, Brooke and Andrew Dusek; brother and wife, Jay and Susan Spiller; sister, Mary Olson; sister and husband, Suzon and Bill Kemp.
Friends and family are invited to a visitation and rosary service January 9, 2017,
from 7pm-9pm at Weed-Corley-Fish funeral home located at 3125 N. Lamar. A funeral Mass will be celebrated January 10, 2017, 9:30am at St. Mary's Cathedral with an interment ceremony following at Assumption Cemetery. Memorial gifts, if desired, may be made to Catholic Relief Services (877-435-7277), Food for the Poor (800-487-1158), or .

Arrangements by Weed-Corley-Fish Funeral Home - (512) 452-8811. Obituary and memorial guestbook available online at www.wcfish.com


Funeral Home
Weed-Corley-Fish Funeral Homes & Cremation Services - Austin
3125 N Lamar Blvd. Austin, TX 78705
(512) 452-8811