Robert Wyatt Simmons III

Robert Wyatt Simmons III, age 73, passed away peacefully on Saturday, September 14, 2024 at his home near Webberville, Texas. 

Bob was born on August 3, 1951 in Alpine, Texas to Robert and Mavis Simmons. As the second born in a family of five sisters, he spent most of his formative years in West Texas where his parents were educators. The summer before Bob began high school, the family moved to Somerville, Texas where he graduated with honors. 

Bob went to Blinn College where he was a part of a choral group before transferring to Texas A&M University where he made many memories as a Singing Cadet, traveling all over and writing to his sweetheart, Flora Dean Thielemann, along the way. Bob completed his studies in 1973, earning a Bachelor of Science in Curriculum and Education. 

Bob married Flora Dean Thieleman on August 11, 1973, in Welcome, Texas and they were married for 51 years. 

Bob had a long career in the education profession, impacting the lives of thousands of students all over Texas. Following in his parents’ footsteps, Bob became a teacher in Magnolia ISD, focusing on Chemistry and Physics while earning a Master’s Degree at Sam Houston State University. Bob went on to serve as middle school principal in Montgomery ISD, and then as high school principal in Bloomington ISD and Columbus ISD. Bob later moved into school district administration in Kopperl ISD, Millsap ISD, Del Valle ISD, New Caney ISD, and Hitchcock ISD where his expertise and leadership shaped the future of those districts. 

Despite his career’s lasting positive impacts on thousands of students’ lives, Bob’s dedication to his work paled in comparison to his love and devotion for his wife, children, and grandchildren. Bob took immense pride in them all, boasting about them to anyone he met. He spent time with his children fishing, as a boy scout troop leader, and supporting his kids in the stands at countless baseball, basketball, football, volleyball, softball, and cross country meets. 

When retirement came, his strong sense of work ethic turned towards his homestead, where he kept busy with one project after another. Bob spent countless days with Flora at their farm, where they constructed a “bunk house” with their children. Later, while enjoying the shade of the porch they had built, “Upup” would feed his grandchildren entirely too many lollipops from the front pocket of his overalls. He carved beautiful walking sticks, shelled thousands of pecans, and had a passion for gardening. No one left his home without fresh veggies or a jar of pickles or jams.

Bob enjoyed reading, his beloved dog “Chub”, sharing stories with family and friends, cheering his Aggies on, and sitting on the back porch with a cigar watching his grass grow and his grandchildren play in the yard. 

Those left behind to cherish his memory include his loving wife, Flora Thielemann Simmons; four children Robert Wyatt (Erin) Simmons IV, William Ryan (Meghann) Simmons, Emily (Brian) Creed, Ellen (Chance) Stobaugh; nine grandchildren Jillian, Ayden, Corbin, Emrys, Carter, Emma, Clark, Sawyer, and Ruth “RW”; sisters SueAnn Lockard, Margaret (Mike) Gibson, Linda (Bobby) Neinast, Sharon Hornfischer, Joy Elise Simmons and numerous nieces and nephews whom he adored. 

Greeting him at the gates of heaven were his parents, Robert and Mavis Simmons, and his brothers-in-law, Marc Lockard and James D Hornfischer.

Bob was the strongest, most stubborn person his family knew. Through it all, he fought the good fight and finished the race on his own terms. 

A Celebration of Life Service will be held Sunday, September 29, 2024, at 1:30 p.m., at the First United Methodist Church, 1201 Main St., Bastrop TX, 78602

The family would like to express their sincere appreciation to Hospice Austin for the compassion and care they provided for Bob and the family during this time.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Hospice Austin (4107 Spicewood Springs Road Austin, Texas 78759) or to The Brookwood Community (Attn Advancement Office 1752 FM 1489 Brookshire, TX 77423).