Robert, a lifelong resident of Taylor, passed this Saturday from complications with heart surgery. He grew up on a farm in Rices Crossing, graduated Taylor High School in ‘59, was a college athlete in basketball and track, and graduated from Texas State University in ‘65 where he studied kinesiology and history. He then served in the US Army, and fondly recalled his time in Germany. Following that, he had a lengthy career in archeology, working in Belize, the Yucatan, and many prehistoric sites around Texas - including the 1983 excavation near Cedar Park of the ‘Leanderthal Lady’ - among the oldest, most complete human remains ever found in North America.

Robert was an avid fisherman, and always happy to attend or help throw a fish fry. An accomplished organic gardener, he proudly produced prize-sized vegetables which he loved to share, eventually becoming a breeder of antique roses and active in the group Rose Rustlers. He enjoyed visiting friends at the Taylor Senior Citizens Center and was proud to plant a garden of his roses there. Bob was a beloved brother, uncle, and friend who was kind and generous to everyone he knew. He loved spending time with his brothers’ families and his many nieces and nephews, for whom Uncle Bobby was a beloved figure.

He is survived by brothers Thomas Stiba, his wife Frances, their four children Pattie, Douglas, Janice, and Thomas, and their 6 grandchildren, as well as his brother James Stiba and wife Mary, their three sons Clayton, Randy, and Travis, and 4 grandchildren. Robert was preceded by his parents Tom and Nannie.