Bob Alan Roberts went to be with our Lord in the early morning hours of Thursday, February 5, 2026, at the age of 97. He was born in San Antonio, Texas on October 23rd, 1928, to Hendrick Earl Roberts and Marion Stephenson Roberts. Bob enriched the lives of others with his encouragement, determination, courageous spirit, and love for storytelling.
Bob came from humble beginnings. A native San Antonian, he grew up on a ranch on Talley Road in West Bexar County. He rode his pony to the one-room Lockhart Schoolhouse for the first years of his education. Bob’s family attended Beacon Hill Presbyterian Church where Bob later served as a deacon. He attended Fox Tech and Jefferson High Schools and graduated from Trinity University in 1950 with a degree in Business Administration and Economics. After graduating from Trinity, he joined the Air Force Reserve, became a pilot, and entered the Korean War in 1952 flying F-84 Fighter Jets. After active military duty, Bob flew with the 433rd “Alamo Wing” Reserve unit for many years, and retired a Lieutenant Colonel in 1985. During his military career, Bob was type rated and flew 10 different Air Force planes. Upon returning from Korea, Bob and a childhood friend purchased a farm in Sabinal, Texas and became the only tobacco growers in the state.
While stationed at Brooks AFB in1955, he met his lifelong love, Minnie Kern, on a blind date. Bob and Minnie were married on June 15, 1957 at Christ Episcopal Church. At the time, Bob was a corporate marketing director for General Dynamics in their San Antonio Office, and later, was transferred to their Houston office. This position afforded him the opportunity to work closely with the NASA Space Center where he met many of the astronauts and attended several of the Apollo Space Launches. During his time with General Dynamics, Bob was instrumental in the design and building of the F-16 and was honored to attend the reception when General Dynamics rolled the first one out of the hangar in Fort Worth.
In 1971, he announced to Minnie, “it’s time to get back to our roots”, and they purchased Lytle Feed and Seed. Bob and Minnie worked side by side managing their growing business. In 1984, they were joined by their son, Bob Jr., as they expanded and diversified the business to include propane companies.
Bob’s lifetime love for ranching came full circle when he began his cattle business. One of his many passions was raising cattle in Bexar, Medina, and Atascosa Counties as well as the mountains of Colorado and New Mexico. He joined Investment groups with friends and participated in projects revitalizing distressed ranches, harvesting rosewood and mahogany from the forests of Belize, building condominiums in Bandera, and owning vacation property in Pagosa Springs, Colorado. Bob had a tireless work ethic, an adventurous spirit and a life-long quest for knowledge.
Throughout his diverse career, he was a member of numerous organizations including the San Antonio Rotary Club and The Order of Daedalians. He was also a member of Texas Feed & Grain Association, Texas Propane Gas Association, Texas Tobacco Growers Association and Lytle Chamber of Commerce.
Family was central to Bob’s life. Bob loved traveling and took great pride in accomplishing his goal of visiting all 50 states with his family. Pagosa Springs, Colorado held a special place in Bob’s heart where family and friends enjoyed horseback pack trips into the mountains, mule deer and elk hunting trips, Christmas celebrations, summer vacations and ski trips, where adventurous Bob learned to snow ski when he was 52 years old.
Bob is predeceased by his parents, his beloved wife of 62 years, Minnie, brother James Dover Rietberg, his sisters, Lou Roberts Baker and Marjorie Roberts Strayer. He is survived by his children, Lynne Roberts, Martha Holzhaus and husband Paul, and Bob Roberts, Jr. He is also survived by his cherished grandchildren: Colby, Amanda and fiancé Luke, Katelyn, Hailey, Peyton, Daniel, and one great-grandchild, Emery, as well as numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
The family would like to express their immense gratitude and appreciation to Bob’s devoted caregivers, Heather Canales, Anna Gonzales, and Esther Smith for their compassion and support during his final years. Bob’s long life was a gift, and his memory will be cherished always. He will be remembered for his steadfast devotion to faith and family.
Visitation will take place on Thursday, Feb. 19th from 6-8:00 PM Sunset Funeral Home and Memorial Park, 1701 Austin Highway in San Antonio.
A Service will be held at 10:00 AM on Friday, Feb.20th at Christ Episcopal Church, 510 Belknap Place, San Antonio.
The burial will follow the church service in Sunset Memorial Park, 1701 Austin Highway, San Antonio.
A reception at Sunset Funeral Home and Memorial Park will follow the burial.
