ROBERT WILLIAMSON “BOB” GILLESPIE III

A memorial service for Robert Williamson “Bob” Gillespie III, 81, of Columbus will be held in January.

Bob passed away Dec. 11 in Austin.

He was born in Dallas, on May 20, 1939, the eldest son of Robert Williamson Gillespie Jr. and Francis Joe Harrison Gillespie. His father grew up in Alleyton on the family place but Bob spent all of his primary and secondary school years in a small town in north Texas called Whitesboro. Bob then attended Dartmouth College in Hanover, New Hampshire for three years before joining the military in 1961. He proudly served four years in the Air Force and then returned to finish college at Texas A&M where he earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Math and Physics and a Master’s Degree in Computer Science.

He then joined IBM and worked as a Systems Engineer for 31 years before retiring in 1997 and moving out to the ranch in Alleyton to raise cattle.

Bob loved the community of Columbus and was active in civic affairs, serving on the board of the Nesbitt Memorial Library and the board of Crimestoppers.

He loved wildlife and was instrumental in forming the Colorado River Wildlife Management Association and served as an officer for several years. He also supported the Christmas Bird Count each year for the past several years.

Bob was a member of the Columbus Lions Club in the late 1990s and later became a member of the Columbus Rotary Club of which he served as president for two years.

He was preceded in death by his parents and two sisters. Bob’s kindness and good humor will be missed by all who knew him.

Survivors include his wife, Pat; a daughter, Carole Gillespie Crutchfield and her husband, Ray; a son, Robert Williamson “Bob” Gillespie IV; a stepdaughter, Kelly Eileen Beazley and her husband, Joseph; a stepson, Jeffrey Roger Davis; a brother, Charles Gillespie and his wife, Carole; five grandchildren; and two nieces and three nephews.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to Nesbitt Memorial Library, 529 Washington St., Columbus, TX 78934.

Online condolences may be given at www.hennekefuneralhome.com.

Henneke Funeral Home, Columbus, directors.