Colonel Robert M. "Bob" Hewlett, Jr., USMC, retired, Attorney at Law, of Houston, TX, departed this life to join his heavenly Father at age 93, Sunday, July 2, 2017. His was preceded in death by his wife of 58 years, Margaret E. Shaw Hewlett, his grandson, Robert Austin Lee and his parents: Robert M. Hewlett, Sr., his mother and step father, Mildred and Fred Layman and his brother, Thomas R. Hewlett, Sr.

The Colonel is survived by his daughters and their spouses: Diana O'Niell (Charles), Houston, Linda Frost (Jack, Sr), Round Rock, and Karen Lee (Robert, 'Bob'), Boerne, his grandchildren: Eric A Frost, Austin, Erin Lee Hobbs (Thomas), Montgomery and Morgen Lee, Boerne; his great-granddaughter Margaret "Maggie" Hobbs; step grandson and family, Jack Frost Jr., and nephews: Thomas Hewlett, Jr. (Mary) of Edwardsville, IL, and Terry Hewlett of Clinton, IN.

Born in Jasonville, Indiana, a humble coal mining area, Bob attended Hymera High School, Hymera, IN, of SW Indiana, where he met his future wife, Margaret Shaw. A week after his 19th birthday, in 1943, Bob left his machinist position with an engineering firm to enlist in the Naval Air Corp to become a fighter pilot to do his part to win the war.  A few months after enlistment, Margaret left her job in Detroit, traveling by train to join Bob, involved in his extensive training, to be married by the base Chaplain, on base, Vero Beach FL, April 1944.  Bob was chosen as one of the youngest flight instructors to share his competence in military flight principals and his knack for teaching.  He reluctantly shared stories about some of his pilot peers who were not so lucky getting to lift off or touching down on the all too short deck.  In those days, flight computers were more akin to aviation slide rules with critical calculations determined by manipulating it while in flight.  He once saved a buddy's life by refusing to move position on deck thus preventing the buddy from his own take-off who had an issue with his craft which the deck master hadn't seen, risking reprimand for failure to obey deck command.

In his 36 months of WWII active duty, Bob earned proficiency in three aircraft models, discharging October 1945 to the reserves. In April of that year, while on active duty, Bob was blessed to learn of the arrival of his first child who's always held a special place in his heart. By 22, he'd become husband, fighter pilot and father in less than 3 short years.  It is uncertain when Colonel Hewlett made the transition to become a Marine pilot.  It is said that while he was airborne, flying missions during the big war, that he was keenly aware that his younger brother, Tom, who was the 'boots on the ground' under enemy fire with General Patton's forces.

After WWII, reservist Bob pursued an undergraduate degree at Purdue University, studying architecture. Physical in nature, loving competition, he was a member of the Boilermaker's basketball team.  In 1948 Bob, wife, child and one on the way, took a chance on making a future life in Houston, TX, where, his two daughters were born.  During this post-war time, he designed and built his first home in east Houston, supported his family successfully selling flooring at Sears & Roebuck as a division manager, and studied for a coveted degree from the University of Houston Law School.  Bob never lost his interest in architecture however, as he shared, once he was introduced to a bright, successful attorney friend of a mentor professor in Indiana, Bob decided to pursue the legal profession as his life career.

Commissioned Captain Hewlett was re-called to active duty for the Korean military conflict August 1950 as a part of the American forces assigned to a combined United Nations military effort under General A. McArthur commanding U.N. forces. He earned several medals and citations for his contribution in that effort, discharging October 1954 to the Marine reserves to complete his 20 years in the US Marine Reserves, proficient in 14 military aircraft, earning the rank of Colonel.  After his active duty service in Korea, he returned to the completion of his studies to pass the Texas State Bar.  He and Margaret, his career-long legal secretary, opened his private law practice in 1960 in the Northshore area.  Eventually, they opened a second office on FM 1960 in preparation for relocating their home to Louetta Rd, near the Champions Gold Course in mid-late 60s.  He celebrated more than 50 years as a dedicated, practicing member of the Bar.

Always willing to try new pursuits, Col. Hewlett began the family endeavor of raising horses beginning with a daughter's birthday in 1955, building his horse farm until he reluctantly retired from horses in 2001. With daughter Linda's natural talents, his interests quickly grew from casual to a deep love of land and animals, including raising, breeding, and showing.  He and Margaret worked diligently while his younger daughters showed across the Texas with some show circuits taking them to LA, to NM, even to Calgary.  Over that 45-year span, his family run farm brought an estimated 100+ head of purebred Arabian horses into the lives of many happy horse owners.  Upon retiring from showing in the 70's, with Margaret's help, he taught general horsemanship, equine care and riding lessons to scores for area youngsters and adults for 25 years.  "The Col" as he was known by his students, and Margaret, typically worked daylight to dusk 48 weekends of every year teaching, all the while managing the law office, enjoying some overseas travel, personal hobbies and participation in community organizations.  Students often spent entire Saturdays with the Hewletts and horses.  Many remarked with gratitude in later years how they benefited from his guidance in life issues, such as developing a strong work ethic, patience, and building confidence as they mastered their equestrian goals.

Bob was invited to travel as a representative of US law to India, China and Russia as a non-governmental emissary to exchange and compare respective legal ideology practices. While abroad he became enamored with the artisans of those nations, bringing home representative cultural talents demonstrated in native art objects.  His abiding appreciation for the talent, creativity and technique employed by the artists captured his admiration.  With the encouragement and oversite of friend and Texas painter, Betty Allison, the Colonel dabbled in oil painting.  To his surprise (and hers) he showed natural talent in his initial attempt but never returned to it.

Bob was a man of faith, relying on the Lord in his own way, every day. He taught adult Sunday School classes at various times, recently devoting his Sunday time to be with the John Wesley UMC senior class.  At his passing his class honored Bob by attaching his name to the JWUMC endowment fund.  In service of others, Bob was a loyal, devoted member of Rotary International more than 25 years, serving in many officer positions, becoming a Paul Harris Fellow of the Rotary Foundation.  He had a knack for pairing his talents and interest to reach community goals as exemplified by his organizing and presiding over a 3-day Class-A All-Charity Arabian Horse show at Pin Oak Stables, Houston, to benefit Rotary charities.

Col. Hewlett was a life-long student, seeking information from multiple sources, disciplines and interests. Especially fond of books, he carefully notated each, often re-reading those he found most enlightening.  He was most content learning and doing, hands-on, enjoying physical labor and communion with the land.  He appreciated the talents of others as expressed in creative arts, intellectual pursuits, and special skills.  At an age when most look forward to rest and relaxation, in his 70's and 80's, Bob added new interests/hobbies, always mindful of such opportunities.  An active member of Toastmasters International, he continued to develop his own speaking and creative thinking skills while mentoring novice speakers.

Bob was driven over his entire lifetime towards building his knowledge base and exercising a strong work ethic which he passed along to his children and grandchildren of whom he was very proud. The Colonel expected much of himself and likewise expected his loved ones to maximize their potential.   When the chips were down and a family member required more than a pep talk, he was willing to give of his time and treasure to help.  He'll be remembered by close family as a professional at "volunteering" others to whom he delegated work under the idea of dividing and conquering an objective.  While his collections reflect his deep appreciation of creativity and skill, he could share that which his hard work brought to his life if it made someone happy.  Many law client remember Bob as more counselor than attorney, helping vulnerable clients to understand their situation beyond legal ramifications, easing their way by accepting payment in many forms like a small-town lawyer might.

Retaining his early love of design and architecture, in the early 80's he completed erection of his and Margaret's 2nd home which he also designed & built on the horse farm which they occupied through 2001.  Bob and Margaret retired from the physical demands of raising horses, relocating in the same area to a neighborhood home.  From this home he organized the beginnings of his retail consignment shop.  Margaret passed in 2002.  As his life transitioned away from the horse farm, law practice, and community service, he embarked on a new career opening and operating a consignment shop off FM 1960 where he could showcase his interest in artisans across the world and share his collections.  His shop closed in 2011 due to physical limitations.  During this time, he treasured his relationship with his church members.

Bob Hewlett was a complex person with an immeasurable zest for life & living, determined to glean every possible joy life had to offer. He loved music: from the early years of singing 30's and 40's songs with his young children during long drives to visit his Indiana family, to belting out a hymn during services, to merely tapping his toe when, in the end, that was the best he could muster. His taste evolved to overcome his rock-n-roll bias during the Vietnam years, welcoming new genres like country western.  Listening to music was one of the few pastimes available to him after back to back medical mishaps took a toll on him.  In his active years, he played the piano, enjoyed dancing and willing to check his ego to take a back seat to his wife's gifted voice and superior playing ability.

Colonel Hewlett was always committed to work.  "5 irons in the fire at once" might best describe his attitude towards how he was most satisfied.  He remained physically fit & active almost 90 years, not from any exercise program or health plan but rather as an outcome of how he lived life to the fullest.  He was a self-directed person to some extreme, sure of his blessings which came from the Lord.  In his last years, he was forced to release himself of any attachment to material things, expanding his view and value of life to be solely based on human love, sacrifice and affection. He was granted the Grace to understand that relationships are what sustains and defines us on earth.   Bob passes just 2 weeks short of his 94th birthday.