Dr. Robert E. Icenhauer-Ramirez

Dr. Robert E. Icenhauer-Ramirez, historian, lawyer, author, history lecturer, and beloved husband, father, grandfather, and friend. Robert died on March 5, 2021. He was 65 years old and will be greatly missed by the many people that knew and loved him.

Robert was born in 1955 and grew up in Hebbronville, Texas, a small town in south Texas. As he described it, Hebbronville was “an ideal little town to grow up in” because everyone knew and protected you. At a very young age, he developed a love of history. When his father traveled to some of the bigger cities around Hebbronville, he would often buy Robert a new history book. Neither of his parents attended college, but they instilled a love of learning in both of their sons. When he was 17, Robert attended Texas A&M University; he majored in history and graduated in three years, followed immediately by three years of law school at the University of Texas.

He started practicing law when he was 23, a career that he prospered in for the next 40 years. He was not adversarial by nature, but he was an excellent trial lawyer, known for his thorough preparation and revealing cross examinations. He worked first in Port Arthur, Texas, and later as an attorney for the City of Austin. He spent most of his career in private practice in Austin, as a criminal defense lawyer and also representing police officers in civil cases. Never wavering in his love for reading history, Robert will be remembered for always carrying with him to the courthouse whatever book he was currently reading.

Robert eventually pursued his dream of becoming a historian, receiving his doctorate degree in history in 2014 from the University of Texas. He published a book in 2019, Treason on Trial: The United States v. Jefferson Davis, through LSU press, about the prosecution of Jefferson Davis after the civil war. His greatest aspiration came true when he was given the opportunity to teach history at UT, including several semesters on the civil war. His passion for history and engaging teaching style made him a favorite professor.

History was his passion, but Robert’s children were his pride and joy. He married Linda in 1979 and they had three children: Mike, Katie, and Liz. He shared with his kids his love of baseball, UT sports, and history; he coached their little league teams for many years; he took them to UT games; he took them on many trips to tour civil war battlefields and to attend major league baseball games. He was always their steadfast and loyal supporter, helping them pursue their dreams in any way he could. He also remained very close friends and law partners with Linda throughout his life.

In 2003, he married Jennifer and spent the rest of his life by her side. They joyfully watched their family grow with the addition of in-laws, nephews, grandchildren, and family friends that became part of the family. He helped his son open a bar on Rainey Street before anyone had heard of Rainey Street. He loved having family and friends over on Sundays for steak night, always making a point to show visitors his library and ever-growing collection of books and historical documents. In addition to practicing law and teaching, he travelled and hiked with Jennifer. He delighted in spending time with his grandchildren. Although his sudden battle with cancer took him from his family far too soon, he lived life to the fullest each day, never forgetting to show appreciation to those who surrounded him.

Robert will be remembered for many things: his laugh, his wit, his generosity, and his graciousness. He had the innate ability to show others that they were appreciated and valued. He inspired others to believe in their abilities and pursue their dreams. But mostly he will be remembered for being a teacher: of history, of kindness, of steadfast loyalty, and of love.

He is survived by his wife, Jennifer Poppe, his three children and five grandchildren, Michael Allen Icenhauer, his son Harrison Robert and daughter Palmer Reese; Katherine Icenhauer-Ramirez, her wife Deanna Lichter and their daughters, Kianna Grace and Hannah Ruth; and Elizabeth Icenhauer-Ramirez Mendoza, her husband Adam Mendoza and their new son James Ryan. He is also survived by his children’s mother, Linda Icenhauer-Ramirez, his brother, Gocha Allen Ramirez and his wife, Jessica, and by Alex Damianov. He was preceded in death by his parents, Zaragoza San Miguel Ramirez from Hebbronville, Texas and Ruth Ann Icenhauer, from Muncie, Indiana.

Robert’s life will be celebrated on March 17, 2021. Visitation will start at 10:00. The service will be at 11:00. Both visitation and service will be held outside at 7004 Western Oaks Blvd., Austin, Texas. A graveside service will immediately follow at Cook-Walden/Forest Oaks Memorial Park, 6300 William Cannon Drive, Austin, Texas.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Dr. Robert Icenhauer-Ramirez Memorial Endowment in the Department of History at the University of Texas at Austin by visiting http://links.utexas.edu/cusrbxh. Donations can also be mailed to The University of Texas at Austin University Development Office, PO Box 7458, Austin, TX 78713, with Icenhauer-Ramirez in the memo line or by contacting [email protected].