Roll Call Tribute

Joseph Edward "Ed" Robeau, Jr. 

November 8, 1923 - April 11, 2024 

Joseph Edward (Ed) Robeau, Jr., passed away on April 11th, 2024 at the age of 100. He was born in New Orleans, Louisiana on November 8, 1923, the son of Joseph Edward Robeau and Marie Theresa O'Connor Robeau.

Ed graduated from Natchitoches High School in Natchitoches, Louisiana in 1941. He enrolled in Texas A&M University but his education was abruptly interrupted by World War II. During his forty-one months of active service, he served as an Army Infantry Lieutenant Platoon Leader in Europe and fought in three major battles, including the "Battle of the Bulge." During his military service, Ed was awarded the Combat Infantry Badge, the Bronze Star, the Purple Heart, three Battle Stars, the Presidential Unit Citation, and four other service medals. After World War II, he re-enrolled at Texas A&M University and graduated in 1947. Ed was then re-called by the military to serve during the Korean War as an instructor for seventeen months.

Ed married his sweetheart, Ethel Louise Kaffie, on July 15, 1944.

Having developed an interest in real estate, Ed and fellow Aggie Les Appelt (Class of '41) organized the industrial and commercial real estate firm Leslie L. Appelt Associates, Inc. in Houston, Texas in 1957. In 1962, the firm's name was changed to Appelt, Robeau, Balach Inc.; then in 1972 became Appelt, Robeau, Womack Inc. and remained as such until Ed retired in 1980. The firm is currently known as Collier's International Houston.

Ed was a life member of the Houston Association of Realtors and was President in 1969. He was a member of the Texas Association of Realtors, the National Association of Realtors and the Society of Industrial Realtors. He was awarded Houston Realtor of the Year in 1976.

Ed loved supporting his alma mater, Texas A&M University. He became a Texas A&M Charter and Endowed Century Club Member of the Association of Former Students. He was also a member of the A&M Legacy Society, providing many scholarships for the Corps of Cadets.

Ed is survived by his two sons, Joseph Edward Robeau, III and his wife Beverly of Port Townsend, Washington; and Richard Mark Robeau of San Antonio, Texas; sister, Marie Yvonne Manaley of Houston, Texas; four grandchildren and four great grandchildren.

Ed was preceded in death by his wife of 72 years, Ethel Louise Kaffie Robeau, who passed away on December 7, 2016.

Services will be held at Blanchard-St. Denis Funeral Home on Friday, April 19th at 2 pm with Father Irion St. Romaine officiating. The family will receive friends from 12 pm until service time on the 19th at Blanchard-St. Denis Funeral Home

The family would like to acknowledge and express great appreciation to the following for their love and care of Ed: Luke and Lori Frederick, Sydney Frederick, Sydney "Sonny" and Evelyn Evans, Huey and Oscarine Robinson and especially Glenda Guillet.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Texas A&M Foundation, 401 George Bush Drive, College Station, TX, 77840-2811.