Mr. Robert Hill McNabb

Robert Hill McNabb was born on the 1st of July 1947, in Charleston, West Virginia, the son of John T. and Mary Anna McNabb, and departed this earth on Thursday, the 15th of August 2013. He was 66 years of age.

He is survived by his loving wife and life partner, Debi; son, Robbe, who is a senior at Texas Christian University, and daughter Kristen, her husband Lane and their son, Colin, residing in Austin, Texas. He is also survived by his mother, Mary Anna McNabb of Houston, Texas; and brothers, John T. McNabb, II and his wife Darlene of Asheville, North Carolina and Round Top, Texas, and Mark A. McNabb of Houston, Texas. He is also survived by Linda Phillips, his mother-in-law who resides in Fort Worth, Texas; and brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Randy Phillips, his wife Cynthia of Colleyville, Texas. He was preceded in death by his father, John T. McNabb of Charleston, West Virginia.

Mr. McNabb was educated in Charleston, West Virginia, in primary and secondary schools where he was a state tennis champion and an all-conference basketball player during his high school years. He graduated from West Virginia University in 1970 and later completed an executive education program at The Wharton School, The University of Pennsylvania. As an undergraduate, Bob was inducted into WVU’s highest honorary organization, Mountain, and was a member of the WVU Athletic Council, as well. He was serving as an Advisory Board Member of the Eberly College of Arts and Sciences at WVU and was also inducted into the Academy of Distinguished Alumni at West Virginia University during 2012. In addition, he was a member of the Board of Visitors of the business school at Vanderbilt University and was serving on the Council of Overseers for the Jones School of Management at Rice University. Bob McNabb was a recognized thought leader in the talent management industry worldwide and built a distinguished career as a CEO and an innovator in that business segment, culminating in his position as a member of the Global Operating Committee of Korn/Ferry International, the world’s largest human capital firm. He retired from Korn/Ferry as an Executive Vice President in July of 2013 and had been CEO of one of the company’s international businesses, Futurestep, prior thereto. Before joining Korn/Ferry, Bob was President and CEO of Corestaff Services and also served on the boards of a London Stock Exchange FTSE 250 company, Corporate Services Group PLC and Hotjobs.com, a New York Stock Exchange listed company. Bob was a gifted speaker and made featured presentations throughout the world focusing on human capital, leadership and personal improvement. Earlier in his professional career, Bob was a regional President of Talent Tree, Inc., served as a Senior Vice President of Kelly Services and was a Group President of Republic Industries, working for Wayne Huizenga.

Bob McNabb was extremely well liked and respected, and over the course of his rich and full life, he selflessly focused great energy to help people improve their lives. He contributed greatly to the well-being of his immediate family, his relatives, friends and his beloved West Virginia University. And he made a meaningful contribution of expertise and leadership to his company Korn/Ferry International.

Bob and Debi raised a family, travelled the world and shared a wonderful life together. Bob was an avid runner, cyclist, and golfer but he was happiest when spending time at home with his family.

A memorial service celebrating his illustrious life is to be conducted at two o’clock in the afternoon next Monday, the 26th of August, at St. Martin’s Episcopal Church, 717 Sage Road in Houston, where the Rev. Martin J. Bastian, Senior Associate Rector for Pastoral Care, is to officiate. Immediately following, all are invited to greet the family during a reception in the adjacent Bagby Parish Hall.

In lieu of customary remembrances, the family requests with gratitude that memorial contributions in Bob’s memory be directed to the St. Martin’s Episcopal Church Hope and Healing Center, 717 Sage Rd., Houston, TX 77056

Bob had a theory about life and leadership, people want two things: to be loved and to win. Robert Hill McNabb loved and was loved, and he won. He made a positive mark during his time on earth and will be missed by many.