Robert “Bob” Ray Gloyna of Austin, Texas left this world for an eternity in the presence of Jesus Christ on November 27, 2024. Known as Bob to friends and family, Robert was born on February 21,1930 to Johanna and Herman Gloyna in Foard County, Texas. He grew up on a working farm with three brothers, graduating from high school in Crowell, Texas, the only incorporated town in the county.
Bob went on to attend The University of Texas at Austin, graduating in 1951 with a degree in Chemical Engineering. Bob married Edna Knippa of Giddings, Texas on June 3, 1951. She had quickly caught Bob’s attention during his college years in Austin. Soon after graduation and marriage, Bob was called to active duty in the United States Army. He was assigned to the 332nd Aviation Engineering Battalion as a heavy equipment platoon leader and company commander for Army headquarters.
After his discharge from the armed services, Robert was employed by Phillips Petroleum Company, Rocket Fuels Division, in McGregor, Texas, then by the Phillips Petrochemical Division, Pasadena, Texas. Robert later joined National Distillers and Chemical Company and its divisions, USI and Quantum Chemicals, where he became a critical team member in the design and construction of polyethylene plants all over the world. While working as an engineer, Bob also attended night school to earn an MBA degree in Management from the University of Houston in 1961.
Bob’s career took his family to The Netherlands and Brazil for several years. Returning to Texas in 1974, Edna and Bob lived in Clear Lake and Port Arthur until finally settling in Austin. Bob initially “retired” in 1991 as Engineering Manager with Quantum only to move to Austin and continue his long professional engineering career as a consultant. He retired for the final time in 2001.
Edna and Bob were happily married for 70 years until Edna’s death in August 2021. A strong Christian faith was always at the center of their shared life. The couple were lifelong members of various churches and organizations affiliated with the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod, including Zion Lutheran Church of Pasadena, Texas, Gloria Dei Lutheran Church of Clear Lake City, Texas and most recently, Redeemer Lutheran Church of Austin, Texas. In all these church communities, the pair held leadership positions, participated in couples Sunday School classes and made many wonderful friendships.
Robert is survived by his daughter, Carol, her husband James Prince and grandson Robert Prince, all of Austin; his son, James of Austin; and his sister-in-law, Deborah Gloyna, of Florida. Nieces Diane, Lisa and Brenda along with nephews David and Michael also survive him. Robert was preceded in death by his parents and his three brothers, Dr. Earnest F. Gloyna and sister-in-law Agnes of Austin, Herman W. Gloyna and sister-in law Eileen of Plainview, Texas, and Emmett Gloyna of Victoria, Texas.
The family will receive visitors on Wednesday, December 4, 2024, from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 pm at Cook-Walden Funeral Home, 6100 North Lamar in Austin, Texas. A funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, December 5, 2024, at Redeemer Lutheran Church, 1500 W. Anderson Lane, Austin, Texas. Graveside interment will take place at Cook-Walden/ Capital Parks Cemetery, 14501 North Interstate Highway 35 following the service.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial gift to the Redeemer Lutheran Church Building Fund, to Upbring (formerly Lutheran Social Services of the South) or to a charity of your choosing.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.cookwaldenfuneralhome.com for the Robert Gloyna family.