Dr. Robert "Bob" Rouse

Dr. Robert “Bob” Lyle Rouse, a.k.a. “Papa,” the great orator, favored professor, intuitive research analyst, honorable war veteran, and beloved husband, father, grandfather, and greatgrandfather, “went to sleep” on Sunday, February 24, 2013, doing one of the activities he loved most: watching a Texas Tech basketball game, his university that he faithfully supported and followed for decades. He had just returned home after taking his wife of 67 ½ years, Elta, to church and lunch, ending his eventful Sunday watching Texas Tech Sports in his favorite study. He was 90 years old. Indeed, a peaceful exit to a beautiful life full of service, generosity, and love that emanated throughout the entire West Texas Region and beyond. Born May 24, 1922 in Vinton, Iowa,

Bob married little sprightly Elta on August 30, 1945. As a Professor, Bob taught Economics, Business Administration, and Finance, beginning at the University of Iowa for 2 years (1948-1950), then, returning to Texas where he taught at Texas Tech University and Lubbock Christian University on related topics from 1950-1999 and served on numerous Academic Committees. Moreover, Bob also served as an Elder and Sunday Bible School Teacher at Broadway Church of Christ for decades.

He has gone before his soulmate of 67 ½ years, Elta (Carroll) Rouse; his two children Judy (Rouse) Looper (married to Larry Looper) and Randy (Lyle) Rouse (married to Judy (Harrisberger) Rouse; his four grandchildren Rob Looper (following in Bob’s footsteps as a professor), Amy Looper Goodyear (married to Marcus Goodyear), (Richard) Layne Rouse (married to Xueling “Apple” Cai Rouse), and Jenness Rouse; three great-grandchildren, C.J. Goodyear and Lyle Goodyear (Marcus and Amy’s children), and baby Salayna Rouse (Layne and Apple’s daughter); as well as his sister-in-law Opal (Carroll/Paden) Willoughby (married to Charles Willoughby) and her sons (Bob’s nephews) Spencer, Russel, and Brad Paden, and their spouses and children; five nieces, Karen Anderson, Donna Scudder, Peggy Quinn, Enid Moore and Kerry Edwards; one nephew, Jimmy Rouse; along with many friends and comrades throughout Texas, including those at the Carillon Windsong Retirement Center, where he had recently made a name for himself as a great orator, teacher, storyteller, and friend.

We love you Papa! We miss you and know that you are playing “Nola” on your new Grand in Glory, awaiting your family to join you. See you soon. (Written in love and admiration by granddaughter Jenness Rouse). Visitation will be held Thursday, February 28, 2013 at Resthaven Funeral Home from 5:00-6:30pm. Memorial Service will be Friday, March 1, 2013 at Broadway Church of Christ at 2:00 pm under the direction of Resthaven Funeral Home.