Robert Gajeske, Jr., 86, of Houston, Texas, left us to be with the Lord on Monday, May 21, 2018 after a short and unexpected battle with cancer. Robert, or “Bob Sr.” as he was known by his friends and colleagues, was born on April 5, 1932 in Gay Hill, just outside of Brenham, Texas, to Lillie Renz and Robert Gajeske. He had one younger sister, Nina Gajeske Little. Robert grew up in the country, and attended Berlin and Oak Hill primary schools, and graduated with honors from Brenham High School in 1950. Robert was a go-getter from a young age, his first job being hauling rocks with his father as soon as he was old enough to work. During high school, Robert worked for the Brenham Banner-Press and Blue Bell Creameries, walking miles into town for work and school from his home in the country. After High School, Robert conferred an Associate of Arts degree in Electrical Engineering from Blinn College in Brenham. Upon completing his degree, at age 20, he joined the U.S. Army during the Korean War and was stationed at Fort Bliss in El Paso, Texas. During his service, Robert was awarded a Good Conduct Medal and was one of the first servicemen to receive a National Defense Medal for serving in the military during wartime. Shortly after leaving the military, he met his wife of 61 years, Doris Ann Weiss, and they were married on August 12, 1956 at Grace Lutheran Church in Brenham and subsequently moved to Houston where Robert had started working at the Tex-Tube division of Cyclops and was attending night school at the University of Houston. After 31 years with Tex-Tube, and 3 children later, Robert decided to go into business for himself and founded Gajeske, Inc. with only a small stock of polyethylene pipe and tubing. Since its founding, Gajeske, Inc. has expanded from a single location in Houston to seven locations positioned across all major metropolitan areas of Texas, has over 150 employees and continues to grow every day. Over the last 30 years, Robert had become a true pioneer of polyethylene and positioned his company at the forefront of the plastic piping industry. More than just an exceptional businessman, he was a true inspiration, a teacher, and a friend to so many. More than just a business, Robert created an extended family through his love, loyalty and warmth towards others.
Robert is preceded in death by his parents, Robert Gajeske and Lillie Vines, sister Nina Little, and son Paul Gajeske. He is survived by his wife, Doris Gajeske; son Bob Gajeske, III; daughter Lisa Dutton; grandchildren Courtney Pattison, Elizabeth Wisenbaker, and Rebecca Wisenbaker; and numerous sons and daughters-in-law, nieces, nephews, and his Gajeske, Inc. family.
Visitation for Robert Gajeske will be held at Memorial Oaks Funeral Home, 13001 Katy Freeway, Houston, TX, on Friday, May 25, 2018 from 5:00pm-8:00pm. The memorial service will take place at St. John Lutheran Church, 15235 Spring Cypress Rd, Cypress, TX, on Saturday, May 26, 2018 at 1:00pm. The graveside service and subsequent reception will be held at Memorial Oaks, 13001 Katy Freeway, Houston, TX, immediately following the memorial service.
