Robert Austin Moomaw

Robert Austin Moomaw died April 22, 2008, in Houston. He is survived by daughter Jane Moomaw Cowell (and husband Ron) and son Paul Owen Moomaw (and wife Carol). Bob is also survived by his sister Phyllis Moomaw Sears and brother Russell Moomaw. He is survived by four grandchildren: Ryan Cowell, Kevin Cowell, Lisa Moomaw and Erica Moomaw. Bob was preceded in death by his sister Evelyn Moomaw Hubbard. Bob was born July 9, 1918, in Bayard, Nebraska, to Leon Austin Moomaw and Minnie Edith Young Moomaw. Bob’s parents and grandparents were Western Nebraska pioneers who settled previously uninhabited lands by filing “tree claims” with the federal government. Bob left the family farm at age 15 to attend business college, launching a varied business career that took him to government jobs and oil-industry posts in places including Havana, Cuba, and Caracas, Venezuela. The last 38 years of his career were spent with Exxon, including time in Tulsa, New Orleans and Houston. Bob served in both the FBI and the U.S. Army during World War II, including a stint in Western Europe near the end of the conflict. He graduated from the University of Nebraska on the GI Bill. Bob’s travels for business and pleasure took him on dozens of trips to six continents, ranging from lengthy car trips through Mexico with his family to tours of the Holy Land with church friends. In recent years, he was devoted to genealogy. In 1990 he published a genealogical volume on the history of the Moomaw family name. Bob was a longtime member of First Methodist Houston, serving as an officer of the Human Potential Sunday School class, where he gathered weekly with many of his closest friends. He also greatly enjoyed the fellowship of his friends at Clarewood House, his residence since 2002. A memorial service will be held Monday, April 28, 2008, at 11 am at First Methodist Church Houston, 1320 Main St. An onsite reception follows. A family service will take place later at Houston National Cemetery. Memorial donations may be directed to Emergency Aid Coalition, 5400 Fannin, Houston 77004.