STRONG, Robert Watt, PhD

"Bob" Strong passed away suddenly Wednesday, September 21, 2016, he was a long time resident of Blanco County. Bob was born at Hotel Dieu in Beaumont, TX on November 1, 1942. He grew up in DeQuincy, LA and later Houston, TX until moving into Mrs. Alma Lasseter's Room & Boarding house on 21 ^st St & Nueces, where he met his future wife, Ann Lasseter Strong, and attended the University of Texas at Austin. Entering the United States Army, Bob served as a Security Operations Specialist from 1961 to 1964. In 1968, Bob and Ann married and he received his commission in The Texas Air National Guard and worked for the Adjutant General's Department at Camp Mabry.

Bob received his BA from St. Edward's University in History and Political Science. His Masters in Information Systems Design and Evaluation, as well as his Doctorate in Philosophy in Information Studies focused on Access and Usability, was from the University of Texas at Austin. Bob authored numerous publications and delivered academic presentations educating collegiate level educators.

During his productive life, Bob held high-level positions in a variety of arenas, including managing editor of the Military History Press, Executive Director (COO) of the Texas Society of Professional Engineers, Director of Resource and Education Services for the Texas Commission on Fire Protection, as well as Business Administrator at St. David's Episcopal Church in Austin, TX.

Bob held teaching and research assistant positions at the University of Texas in the late 1990s and early 2000's, but focused his passion for teaching and education at St. Edward's University when he rose from adjunct instructor in 1984 to Associate Professor and Associate Dean of University Programs. Bob retired as Associate Professor, School of Education, in May of 2015, leaving many friends and the students he respected and loved.

Bob and Ann loved to travel around the world embracing many cultures. They were very interested in southwestern cultures and experiencing different foods and people around the world. Bob particularly enjoyed traipsing through cemeteries researching his genealogical passion and his own family tree. Bob's roots were firmly anchored at his home in the hill country, on the top of a mesa, scanning the horizon, waiting to feed the deer and the birds, while battling the squirrels. Both Bob and Ann have embraced the Blanco, TX County Historical Commission where Bob served as Vice Chair. Bob finished his mortal life as an "Independent Scholar and Genealogical Researcher"

Bob is survived by his wife of 48 years Martha Ann Lasseter Peppard Strong; his stepson and wife, Mark and Janie Peppard; grandchildren, Sara Carter and Andrew Peppard; two great-grandchildren, Cade and Claire Carter; as well as four nephews, Randy and Phillip Strong, and Dale and Michael Yellot, plus one sister-in-law and other nieces and nephews and their children

A memorial celebration will be held at The Old Blanco County Courthouse on Thursday, September 29, 2016 beginning at 1:00pm. In lieu of flowers, please donate to The Old Blanco County Courthouse Restoration fund via historicblanco.org or the Texas Historical Commission via thcfriends.org.