Robert R. Vallilee

Bob’s life began on July 2, 1934, in the small neighborhood of Tipperary Hill near Syracuse, New York. Born to Raymond and Mary Vallilee, he was one of five siblings with twin sister Barbara, sister Geraldine, and younger brothers Raymond and Ronald who were also twins. He is preceded in death by his sister Geraldine Massy. He attended St. Patrick’s School for all twelve grades starring in basketball, although he admiringly stated he never once slam-dunked a basketball. After returning home from serving two years in the U.S. Army he noticed a girl from his neighborhood, Marianne Petty, was now a beautiful young lady and they soon married on November 7, 1959. While pursuing an accounting degree at Syracuse University they had two children, Robin and Bobby. Upon graduating from Syracuse he began his career with Eastman Kodak as a sales rep. and it wasn’t long before his hard work and great people skills opened many doors of opportunity. He worked in downtown Manhattan, New York serving customers that included frequent visits to the Empire State Building and World Trade Center. A few years later a sense of adventure came over him and he took a position in Houston, Texas, a place he only heard of in books and movies. In 1976, a sales call out of Houston took him to Austin for the first time and he knew that Austin was the place he wanted to raise his family so it wasn’t long before Bob and that customer, Wallace Engraving Co. joined forces. A year later the Vallilee’s were Austinites.

Over the years Bob’s sense of adventure caught-on with many relatives, or maybe it was the upstate New York winters, but his door was always open to any cousin, niece, or nephew helping them get a start in Texas. There are now over twenty-five relatives spread over Texas that can thank Uncle Bob for being Texans. Bob treated people the way we would all like to be treated. It did not matter if you were the janitor or the top sales person you knew you were equally important to Bob. His generosity and spirit of giving was felt by all especially during the Christmas Season where he did not forget the golf course employees, lawnmowers, or the mailperson. Our family as well.

After retiring from the pre-press industry his silver years were anything but slow and easy. He helped coordinate sponsorship for the Harvey Penick invitational LPGA tournament at the Onion Creek Country Club, served on the board for Zachary Scott Theater, worked for the Austin Catholic Diocese, and was on the board of trustees for the Texas Medical Association. Among all of these honorable works, he was most proud of culminating his career with the service he gave to the families in need with Cook-Walden Funeral Home. As proud as he was about the many things he did and the lives he touched, you wouldn’t hear him brag, until he mentioned his Granddaughter Lily Kathryn Vallilee. He would often say how she gave new meaning to his life.

Robert Raymond Vallilee will be dearly missed by all who crossed his path on this earth. Our family would like to give a special thanks to all the love and care that poured over him in his last years and throughout his life including Dr. Joe Spann, Dr. Paul Tucker, Dr. Robert Stroud, Dr. Sean Chen, the staff at St. David’s South Austin Medical Center, the staff at The Village at Onion Creek, the staff at Synergy Home Care, and Texas Home Hospice.

We find comfort in knowing that to be absent in the body, is to be present with The Lord. We will see him again

A Rosary and Memorial Mass will be held in Bob’s honor on Friday, October 13, 2017, at Santa Cruz Catholic Church at 1100 Main Street in Buda, Texas. The Rosary will begin at 10:00 AM, with Memorial Mass to follow at 10:30 AM, with Bishop Joe Vasquez and Very Rev. David Leibham celebrating.