Robert Frank “Bob” Breitschopf Jr.

Robert Frank “Bob” Breitschopf Jr., 82, went home to be with the Lord on Nov. 14, in Austin, Texas. Bob was born on Feb. 4, 1936 in Gonzales, Texas to the late Zella Kifer Breitschopf, of Cost, Texas and the late Robert Frank Breitschopf, of Gonzales, Texas.

Bob attended Gonzales High School, where he graduated second in his class, and earned a B.S. in Civil Engineering from Texas A&M University in 1957. Graduating at the top of his class he became a die-hard fightin’ Texas Aggie, a lifetime member of the Century Club and the Corps of Cadets Association. Several of his fellow Cadets said, “Bob was the brain of our Company. He never studied and always made As.” “Bobby was always cool under pressure.”

After graduating from Texas A&M as a 1st Lieutenant Reserve Commissioned Officer, he served in the US Army, stationed in Germany from 1957-1960. Bob was a 3rd Armor Division Tank Driver and Scout in the same battalion as Elvis Presley.

Bob’s successful career was in the construction industry with Farnsworth & Chambers, in Houston, Texas, which became Zapata Warrior and ultimately Warrior Constructors. His diverse career led him from working on the job sites as a Project Manager to Vice President and ultimately President and CEO of all Warrior Constructors. From 1966-1988 he was considered the brightest mind in the Texas Construction Industry and the most respected Chief Estimator of Houston’s major construction companies. Accomplishments can be marked by $1 billion worth of projects he was instrumental in obtaining. Some of his most favorite projects included the Lunar Lab, for the first astronauts returning from the moon, at the Johnson Space Center; The Penzoil Place downtown and the Warwick Hotel, in Houston; The New Orleans Saints locker rooms and practice facilities; and the Air Force Academy Academic Center in Colorado Springs, Colo. Bob also worked on many projects in Austin, a city he truly loved, including the beautiful Gethsemane Lutheran Church.

Most importantly Bob was a wonderful and very generous husband and father. He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Gretchen Rainey Breitschopf, cherished daughters and sons and their spouses, Rivers and Paul Teske of Dallas, Robin and Rob Norris of Arlington, Ross and Lynn Hatchett of Ft. Worth, Heidi and Hal Lentz of San Antonio, Robert “Bobby” and Sarah Breitschopf of Houston; his beloved grandchildren, Tara Teske Lappa, Paul Teske, Jordan Teske, Reece Norris, Russell Norris, Rainey Norris, Will Hatchett, Tinsley Hatchett, Hunter Lentz, Houston Lentz, Hayden Lentz, Hudson Lentz, Rebecca Breitschopf, Elizabeth Breitschopf James and Hannah Breitschopf; adored great grandchildren, Tyler Teske, Olivia Lappa, Jackson Lappa, Rose Norris and Lucy Norris, Aspen Lentz and Rainey Lentz; his wonderful sister Barbara Lee Breitschopf Lauer of Yoakum and six nephews and two nieces.

He will always be remembered for his favorite meal of homemade tamales and chili, playing dominos with his wife and children, his love of golf, country and gospel music and Texas A&M football.

A memorial service celebrating Bob Breitschopf’s life will be held on Dec. 10 at 11 a.m. at Seydler-Hill Funeral Home in Gonzales, Texas.

In lieu of flowers please consider making a donation in memory of Bob Breitschopf to the Texas A&M Foundation, 401 George Bush Drive, College Station TX 77840. Please include “Civil Engineering Excellence Fund, In Memory of Bob Breitschopf ‘57” in the memo line. Online donations can be made at www.txamfoundation.com. Select “Give Now,” then “College of Engineering” and “Civil Engineering” and “Excellence Fund.”