Robert E. German Jr.

Robert E. (Bob) German Jr., 40 year resident of Dallas, died yesterday from long term complications suffered as the result of a stroke. He passed peacefully in his sleep, in the company of friends and in no pain.

Bob German was born in Williamsport, PA in December 1930. He was raised in a home headed by his father who was running a fifth generation family business and by a mother and aunts who filled the home with overwhelming amounts of great cooking and family love. He had the distinction of being a player on one of the first Little League teams in 1939, was known for his hitting and not his fielding. Bob’s childhood and adolescence, while spanning the Great Depression and War years, were filled with many friends, an extended family full of love and warmth, and from his perspective those years were both magical and happy beyond belief.

After graduating Williamsport High School (Class of 1949) and an adventurous post graduation US wide road trip, Bob enlisted in the United States Marine Corps in 1949, served during the Korean conflict and was most proud of the fact that he qualified “Expert” as a Marine Corps Rifleman - Bob actually held the range record at Parris Island for a number of days in 1949. Many friends and family often heard him comment that the one debt of gratitude he could never repay was the debt he owed the Unites State Marine Corps – it was a life shaping and hugely positive experience. Attending Bucknell University in Lewisburg PA on the G.I. Bill, Bob was a member of the Kappa Sigma Fraternity, served as a Sophomore and Resident Advisor at some of the dorms, lettered in wrestling and boxed intramural. He also started a thriving sandwich and snack business for the dorms and filled his fraternity duty by waging war on the Fiji’s next door. Majoring in Liberal Arts, the intention was always to follow up Bucknell with Law school but instead accepted an internship with the Pennsylvania Railroad when the PRR was the second largest corporation in the world - and thus started his career in Personnel and Human Resources. After college graduation and accepting the new job, Bob married a neighborhood and college friend (Diann Kay Mussina) in 1956 and started his own family in 1957.

His corporate career path started with the PRR and took him to Magnivox Research Labs and Gillette. But his career didn’t really hit its zenith until 1972 when he interviewed with Don Thompson of University Computing Corporation and its founders Sam and Charles Wyly. This new job started a 20 year relationship with Wyly organizations that included Bonanza Steak Houses, USA Cafes, Sterling Software, Five M Nurseries and ultimately the Michaels’s Stores. The entrepreneurial, organizational, and managerial culture of these organizations gave Bob’s career the environment he needed to thrive and the principals and cohorts would become life long friends.

In 1992, while VP of HR at the Michael’s stores, Bob sustained a cardiac illness that resulted in a stroke and this for the most part ended his days in Corporate America. After rehabilitation and some convalescence he embarked on the next renaissance of his career and perhaps the most rewarding period of his life – he became a substitute teacher in the Richardson Independent School District. Bob so much loved the companionship, energy and friendship that he experienced in teaching that he would become absolutely ebullient on mornings when he knew he would be teaching at one of his favorite schools – Lake Highlands, Richardson, Pearce, or Berkner. There is no doubt that these teaching jobs gave him purpose and great enjoyment and absolutely extended his life. He was ever grateful to the RISD for their faith in him and dearly loved the students, faculty and staff of these institutions. It also seemed that there was a lot of love and appreciation returned as well. His days of teaching at RISD ended in September 2011 as his illness became more apparent.

Bob German is survived by a long term companion and friend, June Warrington Williams, a dearly loved brother and sister in law, Fred and Mickey German of Williamsport PA, a son, Rob, a daughter, Lois Parker and his grandchildren Courtney and Lindsey Parker, all of Dallas.

A viewing will be held at Sparkman Hillcrest Funeral Home on Northwest Highway Friday July 27 from 6:30 to 8:30 PM and all friends, family and associates are welcome. Grave side service and funeral will be held at the family gravesite in Wildwood Cemetery in Williamsport PA the following week. In lieu of flowers please make a donation to a veteran’s organization of your choice.

Lastly I would like to just say “Thanks” to all the dear friends and associates that made my Father’s life so much richer. Bob was an absolute “people person” and it was his friendships, acquaintances and family that made him feel wealthy. To all those who were part of my Dad’s life –Thank you. I also would like to thank the management and staff at Medallion Emeritus Nursing Home in Dallas. The quality of the care and friendship was heartwarming and there when needed most.

I know I will see my Dad again. I only hope that when I do that we will be embarking on another of our famous road trips from the 50's, 60's and 70's to visit family, new cities and friends. We will be in the old Chevy station wagon, it will be a crystal azure day, there will be nothing but open road in front of us, a forgotten tune on the AM, the sing of bias ply on the macadam, a grocery bag of snacks between us, firecrackers flying out the rear window and both of us with our eyes peeled for Oklahoma State troopers. Godspeed Pop!