Robert Basil Westbrook

Robert Basil Westbrook passed peacefully on the morning of December 29, 2023, at his home in San Antonio, Texas. Robert “Bob” Westbrook was born August 9, 1932, in Muskegon, Michigan. He was the eldest child of Harold B. Westbrook and Bernice R. Carlson. Bob had five siblings: Loretta, Jane, Bernie, Bill, and Fred. Loretta, Bernie, and Fred had preceded him in death. Bob graduated from high school in Montague, Michigan where he excelled in sports, especially football. He graduated from Michigan State and was a life-long Spartans fan.

On February 6, 1954, he married his high school sweetheart, Beverly M. Kittridge. In 1955, Bob entered the Army and did a tour in Germany before returning home. Bob and Bev soon bought a house in Montague in which to raise their children. They had four children: Steve, Don, who passed away in 1974, Jan, and Brad. They moved the family from Michigan to San Antonio, Texas in the summer of 1966. In the late 1970’s Bob and Bev became “parents” to British exchange student Sue Smith Gray. Sue has been part of the family ever since and always called Bob and Bev “dad and mom.”

In 1967, Bob started work at Commercial Body Corporation where he worked for many years until he retired. After he retired from Commercial Body, he took a short-term job with a firm in California, so he and Bev lived in Redlands, California before going back home to Texas. When they returned to Texas, Bob and Bev moved to their house on Lake LBJ and lived there for the next 30 years, where they made dozens of friends. They were active socially, and especially enjoyed their participation in the “Beachers,” the local, lawn-chair, precision marching brigade. They performed in many parades and festivals across the state. Bob was a member of the volunteer fire department and Bev was a member of the auxiliary. In 2021, Bob and Bev moved back to San Antonio to be closer to family.

During their life together, Bob and Bev traveled extensively across the United States and Europe, often with friends or family. Bob loved to dance and listen to music. His favorite music was Dixieland jazz. There were many trips to New Orleans and many evenings listening to Jim Cullum’s Happy Jazz Band at the Landing on the San Antonio River.

Bob is survived by Beverly, his sister Jane and brother Bill. Steve and Grace Westbrook, Jan and Tony Catalano, Brad and Reni Westbrook, Sue and Rich Gray. Grandpa and great grandpa greatly loved the times spent with grandchildren and great grandchildren. His grandchildren and their spouses are Aaron and Katie Westbrook, David Westbrook, Paul and Megan Westmore, Elizabeth and Garrett Vance, Michael Catalano and Sara Beth Eisinger, Samantha and Ian Anderson, Rachel Catalano and Cruz Garcia, Claire and David Ceja, Jason and Brittany Payne, Dusty and Abby Payne, Alex and Frazer Gray. Great grandchildren are Bennett and Everett Westbrook, James Vance, Naomi and Julia Catalano, Oliver Anderson, Izzy Ceja, Cooper, Campbell, and Beau Payne, Penny and Cody Payne.

A memorial service for Robert will be held on Saturday, January 6, 2024 at 11:00 AM at Hope Lutheran Church, 5714 Callaghan Rd, San Antonio, TX 78228.

In lieu of flowers, Bob's family requests that memorial donations be made in his memory to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.