Robert West Lockhart, 91, was born October 11, 1933, in the Nix Hospital in San Antonio, TX. He was the third of four children born to Paul Alvin Lockhart Sr. and Lessie Thelma Vinson Lockhart. He was the first to be born in a hospital. Bob was a man of strong faith. He went to meet his Lord and Savior on October 27, 2024, surrounded by Louise, his wife of 67 years, and other loved ones.
Bob lived his early life in San Antonio, attending Riverside Park Elementary School where he had a history of angry outbursts and fighting other boys. His father was an Air Force officer during WWII, moving the family to Greenville, TX and to Waco, TX. These were good years for Bob, partially breaking the habits described above, offering new experiences and a broadening outlook. Returning to San Antonio in 1945, he entered junior high and then Brackenridge High School where he was salutatorian.
Bob’s early adult life focused on continuing his education. Bob entered Baylor University and received a B.A. degree with honors in 1954. During his senior year, he became acquainted with Louise Rogers. It was quickly evident that this was a special connection. As their relationship developed, Bob entered Baylor Medical School. Louise and Bob were married June 8, 1957 in Houston, an event which surely eclipsed his graduation from medical school in 1958.
After Bob’s senior year at Baylor Med, the Lockharts moved to Birmingham, AL for Bob’s year of internship, after which he entered the Air Force. Captain and Mrs. Lockhart moved to Abilene where he served a year as medical officer in the Armed Forces Examining and Entrance Station. He spent his second year of enlistment at Dyess Air Force Base. Friends were made—primarily at First Baptist Church of Abilene—a number of whom proved to be lifelong friends. During these two years in Abilene, Bob and Louise were pleased to grow their family with Carole and Tom.
In 1961, the family moved to Houston where Bob spent three years in internal medicine residency and an additional year in cardiology fellowship. The family welcomed Miriam in 1964 and returned to Abilene—a family of five. Bob entered the practice of internal medicine, and cardiology. In 1983, Bob, Jack Bargainer, Ralph McCleskey, and George Schroth formed the specialty group Cardiology Consultants. He worked in that group until his retirement.
Bob was Board Certified in Internal Medicine. He was a member of the Taylor Jones County Medical Society as well as the TMA and the AMA. He was on the medical staff at Hendrick Medical Center as well as Abilene Regional Medical Center and its predecessor West Texas Medical Center. He also practiced at St. Ann’s and Cox Hospitals.
Bob was actively involved at First Baptist Church where he served as deacon. Alongside David Leyerle, he was one of the founders and early board members of the City Light Community Ministries. He worked actively in this ministry for many years. Additional ministry and community work important to Bob included participating in Bible Study Fellowship, attending a weekly men’s prayer group, providing mentorship and friendship to the Lamgadhey family through the International Rescue Committee, and visiting FBC members and friends in need of assistance.
Bob’s loved ones remember him as a creature of consistent habits. As a child, he learned to make beds with precision when working at his family’s motel His appreciation for a well-made bed lasted his entire life. He is also remembered for his frugality, exemplified by his willingness to pay his children a quarter to give him any tubes of toothpaste they thought were empty, which he would then use for days to squeeze every drop. For the last year and a half, Bob’s consuming interests were reading the Bible, copying scripture, and writing thank-you notes to those who helped him. He believed the purpose of his being in memory care was to encourage his fellow residents who were struggling. He was a doctor through and through, regularly requesting his own labs, reading his own x-rays, and taking his own pulse to the very end.
Bob was predeceased by his parents Paul and Lessie Lockhart; children Miriam Lockhart and Tom Lockhart; and siblings Virginia Lockhart Slimp, Martha Lockhart Bright, and Paul A. Lockhart Jr. He is survived by his wife Louise; his daughter Carole and her husband Bernhard Bass of Colorado Springs, CO; daughter-in-law Laura Story of Lubbock, TX; grandchildren Andre Bass, Madeline and Caroline Lockhart, Dieterich, Henry, and Josephine Lawson, Zephyr and Mesa Melton; as well as many beloved nieces, nephews, cousins, and his dear friend and caregiver Eliana Zegada.
A public celebration of Bob’s life will be held in the sanctuary of First Baptist Church–Abilene, on Friday, November 1st at 3:00 p.m. FBC will broadcast the service on their website.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to City Light Community Ministries, 1441 North 4th St, Abilene, TX 79601. City LIghts Ministries Donation
Friday, November 1, 2024
3:00 - 4:00 pm (Central time)
First Baptist Abilene
Friday, November 1, 2024
4:00 - 5:30 pm (Central time)
First Baptist Abilene
After Memorial Service
Friday, November 8, 2024
11:00 - 11:30 am (Central time)
Texas State Veterans Cemetery At Abilene
Committal Service with Military Honors
Visits: 785
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the
Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Service map data © OpenStreetMap contributors