Robert was the perfect professional and wonderful person.
I was a councilman for 18 years and Robert knew I would always talk to him on city related issues.
I'd like to think of us as friends.  In my retirement I sought him out and find he is gone.  I always envisioned us talking when he did not have a pen in his hand.  
His sense of humor was great.  He always picked my most blatant statement to quote, fair enough.
I am sad to know we can't have that drink or talk over dinner about his time reporting and my time being quoted.
Rest in peace my dear friend.  Journalism has lost a great representative.

My condolences to the family and prayers for the spirit of Robert. We worked together as regional reporters at the Waco Tribune-Herald in the early '80s. He displayed a great sense of humor and good nature to colleagues, but was a quietly determined reporter and a skilled writer. 

I competed against Robert when I was with the Grand Prairie News and he was with the Star-Telegram. I don't believe I had ever met a kinder, gentler soul in the hard-scrabble world of print journalism. I learned that there was more than mere competition in journalism. There was a brotherhood among reporters. I also worked with Robert when I migrated to the media relations side for UTA and he continued to pound out copy for the S-T. I remembered that I could always ask him if he thought what I was pitching was a story. He'd be honest, direct and kind. He'd either say, Herb, I simply don't have time to do the story or he'd say no one would touch this subject. I appreciated that honesty. Rest in peace.

I worked with Robert at the Star-Telegram and enjoyed sitting next to him in the newsroom. He was always kind and quick with a joke. He will be missed. To his loved ones, you are in my thoughts and prayers.

First time I saw the name Robert Cadwallader was in the lates ‘80s when I was in high school. He worked for the newspaper in the Waco area and as an aspiring young journalist I read every word every morning at breakfast, bylines included. His was a name not easy to forget.

Later we would work together and I would come to know him as a gifted wordsmith who never failed to go the extra mile to ensure his stories were accurate, even if it took an extra phone call or three.  Cad was as laid-back a co-worker as I ever had, friendly, eager to please, a man who loved his family, his music, his cats and Denise. And I enjoyed reminding him from time to time about reading his early stories in Waco.

The last time I communicated with him was by text message in early October. I told him, among other things, that I hoped the end was in sight for his string of debilitating health woes. “The end is in sight,” he wrote back with his characteristic wit. “I hope not.”

We all know that life plays mean tricks on us sometimes. Cad, we miss you, but we will always listen for you in the music. And none of us will ever forget you, no matter when or how we first knew your name.

I was fortunate enough to play music with Robert some years ago.  He was a exceptional piano and keyboard player, and a joy to work with.  He was a musician that had great talent and skills,  and an even keeled demeanor (rare combination!),  and also a great personality that came through in his playing. Much of what we played together was jamming/improvisational music.  I recall he was always game for, and enjoyed, that type of group interaction within the band.  Robert was a good friend off the stage too, and I enjoyed his company. He is primarily responsible for introducing me to, years ago, the greatness of Benito's restaurant in Fort Worth  (often the go-to destination after a gig). Some great times were had there.  My sincere condolences to Robert's family. He will be greatly missed.

Robert ~
    You’ll be dearly missed. I remember the old days bowling in the leagues with you, the times at El Fenix with friends and family, the visits at your mom and dads in Duncanville. 
     I grieve with you Rodney and Brad - Robert was a warm and special brother to you both. I pray that all of you and family revive peace during this time.
~ Mike Starkey

My deepest sympathies to Robert's family. My late husband, Nick Girgenti, played music with Robert in a blues band in and around Fort Worth. It was a wonderful treat to hear Robert play the keyboard. Nick was always excited when Robert was gigging with them and he knew it would be a great show.  May you be comforted during this difficult time and know he brought joy to others through his music.

Sincerely,
Angela Girgenti 

I worked with Robert for many years at the Star-Telegram and have only fond memories of him.

Did he push deadline, you bet! But, like the musician he was, Robert knew how to tickle the keyboard of his computer. Thoughtful. Caring. Meticulous -  to the point of being maddening. This, however, is how Robert worked.

Robert's untimely passing is hitting me hard. I always joked that someday I'd show up at one of his performances like a groupie and hold up a lighter as praise to his performance. I deeply regret never doing that,

Well, consider the lighter raised. Robert, I' miss you, but I'll never forget you.   

I am so sorry for your loss. My condolences to the Cadwallader family; praying for comfort, peace and grace through this difficult time.

Debra Ray
AT&T

Robert, I enjoyed working with you when you covered the Mansfield ISD education.  You will be missed.

Robert you will be dearly missed. You had a sweet calming demeanor about you and I am sad you are gone.  

Love the Bevers


OBITUARY

Robert Norton Cadwallader

April 23, 1959 – December 8, 2018

Laurel Land Funeral Home & Laurel Land Memorial Park

Show your support

Add a Memory

Share Obituary

Get Updates

Services