Roll Call Tribute

Laird Funeral Home obituary
2116 South St.
Nacogdoches, TX
75964, US
(936) 569-1366

Dr. Robert R. Fleet
June 25, 1938 - December 4, 2017

Robert R Fleet was born on June 25, 1938 in Kansas City, Missouri. He earned his PhD from Texas A&M University in 1972. He collected data for his dissertation in the Pacific while working at the Smithsonian in Washington DC. He spent some 40 odd years teaching in various departments at Stephen F Austin State University and coaching SFA rugby (one of the greatest passions of his life).

He was a contrarian. You either loved him or hated him. He was by no means a saint, but those who loved him really loved him.

He was a wonderful storyteller and could make you believe that you were there. His most creative character to portray was “Obediah Pittsweed and don’t you forget it!” One of his favorite stories to read on camping trips with his family was “The Ransom of Red Chief.” He had five different stories about losing his pinky finger. He was one of those people that as soon as you think you’ve heard all their stories, you hear another one that’s even crazier than all the other ones before.

He authored or coauthored approximately 44 scientific articles that have been cited over 700 times. He was not handy. He was a yellow-dog Democrat who didn’t suffer fools gladly. He didn’t respect researchers who in his opinion manipulated their data. He was not collegial. He enjoyed teaching students who asked questions. He was the most social antisocial person you ever met.

He loved many things: his pink hairbrush, that damn grey jacket, the garden, rugby, science fiction, John Wayne movies, his dog, limericks (none of them clean), science and math, Java Jacks, Your Show of Shows, chapstick, his pocketknife, daffodils and crocuses, the nightly news, birds, snakes, a good soaking rain, beer, the Fredonia Brewery, his friends and his family (in no particular order). And for those of you with questions about life, his answer was 2.

He is survived by his brother, William L Fleet, his honorary son, Luis Torres, his favorite daughter Rebecca Fleet, his other favorite daughter Sarah Fleet, and his wife of 41 years, Diana Montgomery. He loved these people more than anything else and showed it every day.

The family would like to thank the many friends who helped us along this journey. We would also like to thank the nursing staff (you know who you are), and physicians of Nacogdoches Medical Center for their compassionate care during his illness. We will never forget you.

A celebration of the life and times of Bob Fleet will be held one fine, spring night at Fredonia Brewery when we will raise a glass and exchange stories.
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Published in The (Nacogdoches) Daily Sentinel on Dec. 6, 2017

Robert R. Fleet
Robert R Fleet was born on June 25, 1938 in Kansas City, Missouri. He earned his PhD from Texas A&M University in 1972. He collected data for his dissertation in the Pacific while working at the Smithsonian in Washington DC. He spent some 40 odd years teaching in various departments at Stephen F Austin State University and coaching SFA rugby (one of the greatest passions of his life).He was a contrarian. You either loved him or hated him. He was by no means a saint, but those who loved him really loved him. He was a wonderful storyteller and could make you believe that you were there. His most creative character to portray was "Obediah Pittsweed and don't you forget it!" One of his favorite stories to read on camping trips with his family was "The Ransom of Red Chief." He had five different stories about losing his pinky finger. He was one of those people that as soon as you think you've heard all their stories, you hear another one that's even crazier than all the other ones before. He authored or coauthored approximately 44 scientific articles that have been cited over 700 times. He was not handy. He was a yellow-dog Democrat who didn't suffer fools gladly. He didn't respect researchers who in his opinion manipulated their data. He was not collegial. He enjoyed teaching students who asked questions. He was the most social antisocial person you ever met. He loved many things: his pink hairbrush, that damn grey jacket, the garden, rugby, science fiction, John Wayne movies, his dog, limericks (none of them clean), science and math, Java Jacks, Your Show of Shows, chapstick, his pocketknife, daffodils and crocuses, the nightly news, birds, snakes, a good soaking rain, beer, the Fredonia Brewery, his friends and his family (in no particular order). And for those of you with questions about life, his answer was 2. He is survived by his brother, William L Fleet, his honorary son, Luis Torres, his favorite daughter Rebecca Fleet, his other favorite daughter Sarah Fleet, and his wife of 41 years, Diana Montgomery. He loved these people more than anything else and showed it every day. The family would like to thank the many friends who helped us along this journey. We would also like to thank the nursing staff (you know who you are), and physicians of Nacogdoches Medical Center for their compassionate care during his illness. We will never forget you. A celebration of the life and times of Bob Fleet will be held one fine, spring night at Fredonia Brewery when we will raise a glass and exchange stories. The Fleet family is being served by Laird Funeral Home. To convey condolences or sign an online register, please visit www.lairdfh.net


Funeral Home
LAIRD FUNERAL HOME, INC
2116 SOUTH STREET Nacogdoches, TX 75964-6126
(936) 569-1366