Robert Lee Bruner

June 5, 1940 - February 20, 2021

In the early morning hours of Saturday, February 20, 2021, as the winter snow began to melt away and the sun shone brightly for the first time in days, Robert Lee Bruner left this earth and was face to face with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. He died peacefully at his home in Huntsville, Texas, in the company of his loving and devoted wife of 56 years, Toni. Robert and his family were blessed by and will remain forever grateful for the numerous calls and visits from friends in the weeks preceding and in the days following his death. The outpouring of love from near and far continues to be a testament to the life of a man who listened more than he spoke, gave more than he took, always cared, and never complained. Following high school graduation from Jeff Davis High School in Houston, Robert graduated from Sam Houston State University in 1962. After a short stint in the United States Army, he began his career in agriculture as a field representative with Swift and Company, thus launching his life-long passion for the study of proper grass care and its benefits to the beef industry. In 1964, Robert and Toni purchased their first herd of commercial cattle, establishing his career in an industry to which he would become fully dedicated and tirelessly committed. A proud multi-generation Texan, Robert spent the remainder of his life ranching on land given to his family for service at the Battle of San Jacinto. To him, his land was never “the ranch,” but always just “the farm.” Throughout his life and until his death, Robert served the agriculture and cattle industry in various leadership roles with numerous organizations. He was a strong promoter of soil fertility, and until his death maintained active participation in water conservation and planning as an appointed member of the coordinating body for Regional Group H of the Texas Water Development Board. As a steadfast advocate for education, Robert enjoyed working with a variety of entities, including his alma mater, Sam Houston State University, where he was awarded the Outstanding Agriculture Supporter Award and continued to serve on the board of the Sam Houston Foundation until his death. In addition, he served until present day as Chairman of the Walker County Pasture and Forage Committee and hosted numerous demonstrations and field days at “the farm.” While serving as director of the Texas Angus Association during the late ’90’s, Robert was instrumental in the formation of an All-Breed Bull Test and Sale. The test, under the name Beef Development Research Center of Texas, was the first in the US to research feed efficiency in cattle through an innovative program developed by Canadian Grow Safe Systems. The system continues to be used throughout the US today. For his efforts while president of the Beef Development Center, Robert was awarded the 2008 “Vision Award,” presented by the National Cattleman’s Foundation of the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, in recognition for innovation in the industry. In 2014, he was inducted into the Texas Hall of Fame by the Texas Angus Association. Never one for talking about himself, much less drawing attention to his own achievements, Robert would most likely at this point, grunt, mumble something under his breath and leave the room. Many of the accomplishments and awards he graciously received for his efforts, his grandchildren and even his children may not know about. They will be written here as part of Robert’s legacy to them - the example of a job well done, of working tirelessly at everything one endeavors to do, and of the joy found in doing what you love. He gave his time and expertise not only because he loved the work but because he truly cared about the people impacted by it. Some of the organizations he considered near and dear to his heart include, but are not limited to: Build East Texas (Bill Clement Award for Outstanding Achievement); Texas Forage and Grassland Council (Excellent Producer Award); Region IV Soil and Water Conservation Districts of Texas (Conservation Rancher of 2014); Texas Agriculture Extension Service (1998 Man of the Year in Texas); and the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo (Superintendent of the Junior Commercial Steer Show). He also held various executive positions within the Independent Cattlemen’s Association and the Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association, served as a voting delegate for the American Angus Association, and was appointed by the Secretary of Agriculture to the Cattlemen’s Beef Board. He served a six year term on the Texas Beef Council. Locally, Robert enjoyed spending most of his adult life serving the people and organizations of Huntsville and Walker County. Although he preferred those tasks in which he was not required to wear a suit, he endured nevertheless. Until the time of his death, he served on the Advisory Board of Creekside Retirement Community. He was Chairman of the Josey Foundation, supporting the health of Walker County and served as Vice Chairman of the Trinity Improvement Association. He was a board member of Huntsville Memorial Hospital, First National Bank of Huntsville, and Town Creek Retirement Community. Robert was also a founding lifetime member of the Walker County Fair Association, the Walker County Timber Growers Association, and a two-term director of the Huntsville-Walker County Chamber of Commerce. Robert believed in helping others and worked to leave his beloved community a better place for the friends and neighbors he cherished. No doubt that today, he has heard the words, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant.’ Robert is preceded in death by his loving parents, Britt and Kathryn Bruner. In addition to his wife Toni, he is survived by children Kim Rinker and husband Robert, of Dallas and son Jim Bruner and wife Maridee, of Boerne. His grandchildren include Haley Rinker Burns and husband Ryan; Sadie Rinker; and Sara Kate and Gray Bruner. He is remembered by Jim and Kim as being a caring and faithful dad who was unwaveringly honest and fiercely loyal to his family. Admiringly known by his children for being “tight” with his pocketbook, “Dad” taught them the values of hard work and generosity. His grandchildren will always remember their “Big Daddy” as patient, kind and caring - their “favorite cowboy.” He was never too busy to go fishing or shoot skeet and was always pleased to have a passenger ride around and check the cows and maybe even open a few gates for him. When they spoke, they knew he was listening, and they knew he cared. Big Daddy never minded risking his own life to teach each of his grandchildren to drive a Kubota as soon as they were potty-trained. They never made a mistake that could not be corrected, and he always gave them a second chance to right a wrong. Robert is also survived by his nephew Bart LeMay; cousins Ann Marie Vick and Anna Louise Bruner; and his brother-in-law Morris Faulk. The family would like to thank the wonderful caregiving ladies who lovingly helped care for Robert in the final weeks of his life. Thank you, Pat Oliphant, Janice Waldrup, Debra Glaze, and Terry Carter. Also, a special thanks to Johnny Hightower and Larry Graves, who kept the farm running and the cows taken care of during the ice and snow storm. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, February 27, 2021, at Fellowship of Huntsville Church at 3895 State Highway 30. The family will receive friends from 9 until 10:00 A.M., with services officiated by C.F. Hazelwood beginning at 10:00 A.M. The service will be live-streamed at www.fohc.org. Interment will follow at Farris Cemetery on FM 1791. In lieu of flowers, Robert would have appreciated support for (1) The Robert L. And Toni C. Bruner Scholarship at Sam Houston State University, P.O. Box 2537, Huntsville, TX, 77341; (2) the Pregnancy Care Center of Huntsville, P.O. Box 7125, Huntsville, TX, 77340; or (3) the Fellowship of Huntsville Building Fund, 3895 P.O. Box 1200, Huntsville, TX 77340. In addition, the family would like to request you honor Robert’s life by giving of your time to a non-profit organization of your choice. Memorial condolences to the family may be made at www.shmfh.com