Mitch Robb

Clarence Mitchell (Mitch) Robb started his very original, creative, somewhat eccentric life on November 4, 1952. He grew up in the old Heights neighborhood in Houston and recognized himself as a “Heights Rat,” knowing the histories and stories of all the original buildings, businesses and characters. Mitch attended Sinclair Elementary School and Reagan High School, then studied extensively at the school of the observation of life. He lived in Houston until 2016 when he moved to Lake Sam Rayburn. He named the property “Chateau du Lac de Barbee et Clarence” and began to learn the fine art of small-town life.

Everyone liked Mitch, especially artists since they spoke the same language. He was a true Renaissance man and knew a little about everything and a lot about some things. Although he made his living in the field of bookkeeping, philosophically he never felt that 2 + 2 always had to equal 4. To him there was balance in everything. Mitch could talk to anyone about: all things Elvis (particularly Dead Elvis); Graceland and Graceland II; the ins and outs of Art Cars; music, concerts and performances seen; planting a garden that can survive in Texas; fresh-water fishing; saltwater fishing; mixing a superlative margarita; and the backroads to take for any decent road trip. A faithful sock monkey was his steady companion on those road trips until he met Lane, whom he always called his lovely bride, but was in reality his greatest catch. He could Macgyver anything and usually did. He learned early that life could be short, so enjoy it — and try to bring a souvenir home with you. His adventures in “the big red car” accomplished that goal. His spirit of adventure and infectious sense of humor (and laugh) brought a smile to all, if not an outright guffaw. The Big Lebowski cast no shade on this man, although they shared the same disdain for the Eagles. His collection of quirky, eccentric or just straight-up odd artifacts and ephemera of our American culture is vast and vastly educational. If Mitch could have adopted a two-headed, singing, dancing, yodeling dog he would have. He had to settle for the yard-art version.

Mitch left the building on December 11, 2023, as his wife, Lane Transou, sat by his side. He leaves behind Lane, his furry friends Snickers and Ike, sister Peggy Nagle, a slew of cousins, many nieces and nephews (to whom he taught essential life skills such as how to fish and the spoon-on-the-nose trick), a zillion bereft friends, and a stellar collection of thrift-store fishing shirts. A memorial service is planned at Heights Funeral Home with a reception after at the Re:Hab Bar in Houston, where a small, traditional MitchFest will ensue. Date and time will be announced through Heights Funeral Home. “Long May We Wave”