Robert Garland Landolt

Robert Garland “Bob” Landolt, 104, a resident of Arlington, Texas, went to be with the Lord on Friday, January 5, 2018. Bob was born October 28, 1913, the youngest of 13 children, to William and Lonie Massie Landolt in Somerville, Texas. He earned his BA and MA degrees from Austin College, where he also met Mary Ella “Ellie” Campbell, who became his wife in 1938. They had four children, Robert, John, Mary, and Bill.

During WW11, Bob worked for the Todd Shipyard Corporation, both in Houston and Galveston. In 1948 he became Business Manager for Fort Worth’s First Presbyterian Church. He served as President of Lees Junior College in Jackson, Kentucky, from 1949 to 1958 as it was then affiliated with the Presbyterian Church, US. He earned his Ph.D. in Economics from University of Texas at Austin in 1965, and was a Professor of Economics and Business Management at West Virginia’s Morris Harvey College, now the University of Charleston, from 1962 to 1979. He served as Ruling Elder for numerous Presbyterian congregations, and he remained an active member of the First Presbyterian Church of Arlington.

Bob enjoyed traveling the world, visiting all of the continents with probable exceptions of S. America and Antarctica. From 1980 to 1985, he taught college level economics and business courses to crew members on five U.S. Navy ships with the Navy’s Program for Afloat College Education (PACE). He enhanced his own cultural education on tours while in ports in Japan, the Philippines, Greece, Egypt, Israel, Italy, France, and Spain. His additional adventures included tours of China, Australia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Switzerland, Russia, central Europe, Great Britain, and the Scandinavian countries.

Blessed with excellent health, except for some painless neuropathy in his legs in the last few years, Bob attributed his longevity to daily riding his stationary bike (riding over 60,000 miles since 1989) and enjoying a glass of red wine before supper. Every morning he would wake up and give thanks to God for another day and sing “Oh, What a Beautiful Morning.” He loved spending time with and hearing from family and friends, was an avid bridge player, and stayed up on the news and world events with his three TVs—where he also watched football, tennis, and never missed a Texas Rangers game. He recently enjoyed watching the Houston Astros win the World Series.

Bob committed his life to making the world a better place, reflecting the love of Jesus Christ, that was seen through teachings, his writings, his genuine love and respect for all people from all backgrounds, and through his dedicated political and humanitarian efforts. Even in his later years, Bob published articles and op-eds in support of Christian denominations resolving controversial differences and uniting to end political gridlock, for reversal of the disparity between the very rich and all others that has resulted in increasing poverty, for legislation to utilize scientific and technical advancements to improve health, education, and climate change control, and for the development of an equitable immigration policy.

Bob is survived by his son, Bob Landolt (wife Margaret), son John Landolt (wife Melinda), son Bill Landolt; his grandchildren, Laura, Lisa, Rob, Seth (fiancée, Jill Brooks), and Nathan Landolt, Brett Wilmore (wife Peg), Ross Wilmore, Mary Lynn Bradshaw (husband Tim); numerous cousins, nieces, nephews; and beloved friends. His wife, Ellie, and daughter, Mary, preceded him in death. Bob will be interred with them in Charleston, West Virginia.

A Memorial Service to celebrate Bob’s life is scheduled for Saturday, January 20, 2018, at 2:00 p.m. at the First Presbyterian Church Chapel, 1200 South Collins Street, Arlington, Texas 76010, Family members, including granddaughter Laura Landolt are expected to participate. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial gifts be made to donors’ favorite causes, such as the Landolt Scholarship Funds at the Somerville ISD or Laura’s Outreach Ministries in Ohio.

Arrangements under the direction of NEPTUNE SOCIETY - Fort Worth, Fort Worth, TX.