WILLIAM ROBERT PICKENS

William Robert “Bob” Pickens III died on July 3, 2023, in Katy, Texas. He was born in Orange, Texas on Sept. 11, 1932, to Ruth Peveto Pickens and William Robert Pickens, Jr. He grew up in Beaumont, Texas where his small family home backed up to a natural forest. With no sibling playmates, Bob entertained himself by exploring the forest, watching the birds, snakes and other wildlife and developed an enduring interest in the natural world.

Bob graduated from French High School in 1949 when he was 16 years old. He sampled several universities before volunteering for the draft and entering the United States Army in March 1953. He often said that the one thing he learned in his semester at A&M was to march, a useful accomplishment for a young soldier. He served at Fort Hood and Fort Knox. Upon his discharge in March 1955, with renewed dedication to his education, he resumed his studies at the University of Texas in Austin, majoring in geology. He earned his Bachelor of Science in Geology in 1957 and his Master of Science in Geology in 1959.

Bob married Mary Anne Brune in Garwood, Texas on Dec. 29, 1956. He is survived by his wife of 66 years and by three children: William Thomas Pickens and his wife Lindsey Falconer of Austin, Texas; Dan Robert Pickens and his wife Cynthia of Wimberley, Texas; Ellen Pickens of Katy, Texas. He also is survived by eight grandchildren: Walker Pickens and his wife Emily, Connor Pickens, and Hannah Pickens; Aaren Pastor, Sophia Pastor and her husband Sam Wassom; Lucy Pickens, Clara Pickens and Rachel Pickens; sister and brother in-law, Jane and Bill Kuchar, brother and sister- in-law, Jim and Donna Hopkins; sister-in-law Arline Brune.

In August 1959, after graduating from the University of Texas and just before his first son was born, Bob went to work for Humble Oil Company mapping surface geology in South Texas, working in offices in Junction, Kenedy, and Corpus Christi. He transferred into Humble’s new Mineral Exploration Department in 1967 to do uranium exploration in South Texas.

As Humble/Exxon expanded its minerals department, Bob was transferred to Denver, Colorado to do uranium exploration across the U.S. He returned briefly to Corpus Christi in 1974, before transferring to Exxon’s Minerals Pre Development Headquarters in Houston in 1976. In 1983, Bob returned to Exxon’s Oil and Gas Exploration Department where he served as District Geologist and Division Geologist before retiring in January 1992.

Bob loved his work as a geologist and often said he was lucky that he got paid to do something he loved to do. Upon retirement, however, he did not do any consulting, choosing instead to explore new avenues.

Bob and Mary Anne retired to rural property near Columbus, Texas in Colorado County. The acreage had been mined for gravel in the 1950s and Bob took on the task of improving the land. He was successful in establishing native grasses on several meadows which had been mined. Additionally, he designed water reservoirs for wildlife, using pits left by the old gravel operation.

Bob and Mary Anne built a house similar to one Mary Anne’s grandparents had. He carefully drew the plans. The wrap around porch, typical of early Texas country homes, invited everyone to linger and enjoy the vista of wildflowers in the meadow. Their eight grandchildren loved family gatherings on the porch, exploring the woods, and fishing in the “tanks.”

Bob had never lived in a small town before and he enjoyed the fact that nearly everyone in town could call you by name. He quickly became active in Columbus, serving on the boards of the Nesbitt Memorial Library and the Live Oak Art Center. The Colorado County Judge asked Bob to serve on a committee to locate a site for a new Colorado County Jail. His background in geology was helpful in selecting the site.

For ten years, Bob represented Colorado County on the Region K Water Planning Committee, a state committee to evaluate future water needs for Texas. His last water related work was his participation on Senate Bill 3 committee to recommend the amount of environmental flow needed to sustain current environmental conditions for the lower Colorado River and for Matagorda and Lavaca Bays.

During their retirement, Bob and Mary Anne enjoyed their membership in The Native Plant Society of Texas and in The Southern Garden History Society. They attended annual meetings of both organizations and traveled to various places across Texas and the South. Bob felt their retirement had been enriched by the two societies as he continued his interest in the natural world, learning about native grasses and working to establish them on their property.

In December 2018, Bob’s health issues prompted his and Mary Anne’s move to Katy, Texas to be near their daughter, Ellen. In December of 2022, Ellen hosted the celebration of Bob and Mary Anne’s 66th wedding anniversary, with all family in attendance. Having grown up an only child, Bob always enjoyed his eight grandchildren and the love of his family.

Memorials may be made to Nesbitt Memorial Library, 529 Washington St., Columbus, Texas, 78934 or to the charity of your choice.

Online condolences may be given at www. hennekefuneralhome. com.