Robert Goodall Behrman Jr.

His parents, Rev. and Mrs. R.G. Behrman had moved inland after the Great Storm of 1900.

Bob attended Rice on a band scholarship, but he left school to work for Gulf Oil Co. He had no prospect of a career in architecture during the Great Depression, but he quickly became a contributor to what was then emerging as the field of petroleum geology. Bob would become a member emeritus of the Houston Geological Society.

The exploration and production work in Texas before the war, allowed him and his friends to buy and learn how to fly an airplane. That experience, in turn, enabled him to earn his wings as a naval aviator. Bob served during World War II as a Navy flight instructor and at the close of the war was an officer in Photographic interpretation Squadron One stationed on Okinawa.

Absent computers for most of his career, Bob’s artistic skills allowed him and colleagues in paleontology, seismology, and geochemistry, to build more robust scientific literature, visualizations, and models of geologic data. He was a member of the Water Color Art Society of Houston.

At the time of his death, Bob was the oldest living member of South Main Baptist Church, Houston, which he and Genevieve joined upon his return to Houston after the war.

Bob was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Genevieve Hanner Behrman; and his distinguished brother, Dr. James Behrman. He is survived by his children in Houston, John Robert Behrman and wife Belinda, Susan Riley and husband Brian, Charles Thomas Behrman and wife Kathy, a foster son in Los Angeles, California, Joe Stewart; seven grandchildren and four great grandchildren.

The family wishes to thank the staff members at Elmcroft and Garden Terrace who have cared for dad for the past eight years. We offer our heartfelt gratitude to his long time caregiver, Roselia Marroquin.

The graveside service will be conducted at eleven o’clock in the morning on Wednesday, December 9, 2015, at Forest Park Westheimer Cemetery, 12800 Westheimer Road, in Houston, where Greg Funderburk, will officiate. A reception will follow at 4507 Devon Street, 77027, in Afton Oaks.

In lieu of usual remembrances, memorial contributions may be directed to DePelchin Children’s Center, www.depelchin.org.