Robert Otis Stearns

Robert “Bob” Otis Stearns, age 94, passed away peacefully 12 days shy of his 95th birthday on Friday, August 25, 2023. Bob was born September 6, 1928, in Globe, Arizona. He was the 4th and youngest child of Clyde and Naoma Herbert Stearns.

Bob moved with his family to El Paso, Texas and then to Fort Worth, Texas where he spent most of his childhood. He graduated from Laneri High School where he excelled in football as captain of his team. Bob joined the United States Marine Corps in 1946 at the age of 18.

Upon completing his Marine Corp commitment, Bob attended Benedictine College in Atchison, Kansas. He completed his Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry at Texas Wesleyan College in Fort Worth in 1952. Bob moved to Houston and met the love of his life, Marianne Sacco Stearns. He proposed on their second date. Over the course of 70 years, they were blessed with 6 children, 6 children-in-law, 14 grandchildren, and 7 great grandchildren with an 8th great grandchild due in October of 2023.

Bob and Marianne raised their six children in Houston, Texas with 3 years spent in Barstow, California from 1965 to 1968. The family moved back to Houston from Barstow and were active members of St. Dominic’s Catholic Church. In 1983, Bob and Marianne moved to west Houston and were active parishioners at St Catherine of Sienna and then St. John Vianney Catholic Church.

Bob never met a stranger in his entire life. He and his wife, Marianne, were well known in the Houston Catholic community. Bob loved to dance. He would twirl Marianne around the dance floor on every possible occasion and taught his kids the jitterbug at home in the living room. Bob was an avid golfer and golfed as much for the socialization as for the sport itself. He was a devoted gardener and took great pride in his garden and citrus trees. In his retirement years, Bob enjoyed woodworking in his garage, which worked out well because it kept him out of Marianne’s kitchen. He always had a funny story or a joke to share, never turned down Bluebell ice cream, root beer, beer, a Manhattan, or Jack and Coke. Bob was a proud Texas Longhorn Dad to all 6 of his children. Even into his late 80’s, Bob would usually attend at least one UT football game a year. Bob was also an Astros fan since the days of the Colt 45’s. He took his children and oldest grandchildren to games at the Astrodome for many years. Bob was at his happiest surrounded by his children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren.

Bob started his career in 1952 with Ethyl Corporation in Houston, Texas working as a chemist. He subsequently went to work for Baroid and later Magna Corporation. Bob eventually retired from Baker Performance Chemicals at the age of 70. After a brief stint in retirement, the ever-hard-working Bob began working for Thomas & Lewin Associates, Inc. as the Trust Fund Manager for the next 15 years.

Bob was preceded in death by his parents Clyde and Naoma Herbert Stearns; sisters Charlene Stearns, Anna Lee “Susie” Stearns, and Kaye Stearns Touchstone; and beloved son Robert Michael Stearns. He is survived by his wife Marianne Sacco Stearns, son John Stearns and wife Agnes, daughter Kathleen Stearns Kopp and husband Steve, daughter Anne Stearns Lewin and husband Graham, daughter Sharon Stearns Corso and husband Joseph, and son Thomas Stearns and wife Kathleen. Bob is also survived by his 14 grandchildren: Jennifer Stearns, Mathew Stearns and wife Natasha, Lyndsay Kopp Pilkinton and husband Larry, Jeffrey Kopp and wife Meredith, Kylie Kopp Paradowski and husband Alec, Madeleine Lewin Hilsher and husband Maxwell, Caroline Lewin, Edward Lewin, Robert Corso, Charles Corso, Mary Kathryn Corso, Joseph Stearns, Michael Stearns, and Mary Margaret Stearns. Additionally, he is survived by 7 great grandchildren including Gage Pilkinton, Henry Pilkinton, Tate Pilkinton, Nolan Kopp, Wesley Kopp, Emelia Kopp, and Harper Hilsher, and the soon to be Ryan Rachel Paradowski.

Bob lived his life to the fullest. He truly made the most out of every day and couldn’t stand to let a moment go to waste, which he demonstrated throughout his life in his work ethic and desire to help and love everyone around him. When he turned 90 years old, Bob told his doctor that he didn’t “feel 90.” His doctor replied, “well your organs are 90” and “boy-o-boy,” Bob was not happy with that doctor.

Bob’s Catholic faith, his beautiful wife of 70 years, and his many children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren meant everything to him. His life was truly one well lived.

We love you and miss you Bob, Dad, PaPa.