Obituary of Robert L. Earthman

Robert (Bob) Lawrence Earthman, age 84, passed away on August 26, 2024. A dedicated and loving man, Bob was the fourth child in the large Earthman family, growing up with his eight siblings on the Westheimer family farm. Family was central to his life from an early age. Bob attended St. Anne’s Catholic School and St. Thomas High School, before graduating from the University of St. Thomas and Commonwealth College of Science. 

His lifelong dedication to supporting the bereaved began during his final year of college when his closest sibling and best friend, his brother Bill, died tragically in an automobile accident. This life-changing event led Bob to alter his career plans, as he had now found his true professional calling as a funeral director. He helped tens of thousands of families in Houston during his 60-year career.

Bob’s private life was shaped by the five children that he and first wife, Sonja, raised together. He embraced his role as a father, whether he was helping the kids build forts, setting up Tarzan swings from the oak trees in the backyard, making sure their house was the spookiest on Halloween with real coffins, or attending father-daughter dances and scouts with his boys. He cherished every moment of being a good father.

Throughout his life, Bob served in numerous leadership roles across professional, church, and civic organizations. Several included President of Texas Funeral Directors’ Association; President of Southeast Texas Funeral Directors’ Association; Chairman/Board of Directors of Greater Southwest Houston Chamber of Commerce; President and District Governor of Serra Club of Houston; Vice Chairman of Catholic Charities of Houston; Chancellor of the Order of Holy Sepulcher of Jerusalem, SW District; and Graduate of Leadership Houston, class VII.

Bob displayed incredible gardening talent with his blooming landscapes, and enjoyed playing golf with his family and friends. He loved to travel and spend time with his wife, Sandy, who passed away last year. From his Lazy-Boy chair in front of the tv, he would cheer on his beloved Astros. Bob’s cheerful demeanor defied the stereotype image portrayed of a funeral director.

Bob is preceded in death by wife, Sandy, daughter Amy Earthman Cardwell, and stepdaughter Allyson Babin. He is survived by his four children and their spouses, Mary Louise Littman (Michael), Bobby Earthman (Elena), Lannie Bluethmann (Bill), David Earthman and best friend Alena Love, as well as his stepdaughter Debbie Gutierrez (Richard) and twelve beloved grandchildren.

The family would like to extend a heartfelt thanks to Ivette Gamez for the loving care she provided to our father during his final year, treating him as if he were her own.

A visitation will be held from 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. on Wednesday, August 28, 2024 at St. Anne’s Catholic Church, 2140 Westheimer Road, in Houston, Texas. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m., Thursday, August 29, 2024 also at St. Anne’s, where the Rev. Michael G. Earthman is to serve as celebrant. The Rite of Committal is to follow at Forest Park Lawndale Cemetery in Houston.