Roll Call Tribute

Robert E. "Bob" Tapia 

July 12, 1948 - July 13, 2020 

Robert (Bob) E. Tapia, age 72, passed away on Monday, July 13, 2020 in San Antonio, Texas. He was born in San Antonio on July 12, 1948 to Jesus Salinas Tapia and Maria de Jesus Cantu Tapia. Bob attended St. Gerard Elementary School and St. Gerard High School in San Antonio, TX. He earned a B.S. from Texas A & M University, College Station, Texas in 1971. In 1979, he earned a M.S. degree in counseling from Our Lady of the Lake University, San Antonio, TX.

Throughout his career, Bob worked for organizations and agencies dedicated to serving children and adults with disabilities, to include: Epilepsy Foundation of America, the San Antonio Association for the Blind, the Texas Rehabilitation Commission, and the Disability Policy Consortium. Bob was particularly proud of the work he did with emergency responders. Bob worked as a contract instructor with the San Antonio Police Department's Training Academy teaching stress management to police officers as well as their spouses. He volunteered as a mental health professional with the San Antonio Police Officer's support team. Bob assisted officers involved in critical incidents during the four years he volunteered with this team.

Bob's private practice focused on working with numerous foster care agencies, families and children in Bexar and surrounding counties. He provided individual counseling services to children and teenagers and he loved the work he did with the foster families as well as their sponsoring foster agencies.

Bob had a passion for his family, as well as his work with children and adults. Those that knew him well knew Bob loved outdoor sports, particularly target shooting. Following his graduation from Texas A & M, his hobbies included photography, tennis, and archery. He loved to compete in matches with 1,000- yard competitions. Bob participated in several gun clubs and gun ranges where he enjoyed participating in activities such as weekend clinics for high school students to provide them with instruction in long range shooting. He was also proud of the weekend event that involved hosting veterans for a bar-be-que and spending time with their family members at the CTSA range.

Bob is survived by his wife of 24 years, Linda Harwood Tapia; stepdaughters, Jennifer Bishop and Sarah Bishop; aunt, Irma Sandoval and numerous cousins, extended family members and friends.