Robert Eugene Swisher, lovingly known to his family and friends as "Bobby," "Chief," or "Papa," went to be with our Lord and Savior on Sunday, April 27, 2025.

Born in Houston, Texas, Bobby was the third child of Jack Swisher and Margaret Fretz-Cobb. From a young age, he had a deep love for the outdoors and all of God's creatures, especially snakes. He served as an altar boy and carried a strong and enduring faith.

Bobby attended St. Thomas High School, and during that time, he noticed a beautiful girl working at the movie theater ticket booth. He began visiting often, just to catch a glimpse of her. One day, he told his best friend, David Bruns, how much he wanted to meet her—only to find out she was David's sister, Janet! David introduced them, and from that moment on, Janet became the absolute love of Bobby's life. Bobby and Janet went on to share 56 years of a devoted and loving marriage.

Bobby and Janet created a beautiful life together with their four children: Laura, Gail, Elaine, and Eric. For the first 16 years of their marriage, they lived in Pasadena, Texas, before Bobby and several firefighter friends built the family's forever home in Cypress, Texas. After the family moved in, it was not uncommon to find Bobby sitting in a lawn chair, happily watering the grass that Janet and the kids had just planted.

Janet was Bobby's rock, and his love for her never wavered. When she was diagnosed with Alzheimer's, he remained by her side, making sure she had the best care possible every day.

Bobby's first job was working for his grandfather at Fretz Construction, but he found his calling in service as a Houston firefighter. He loved working for the Houston Fire Department and retired after nearly 42 years of service. In those 42 years, Bobby rose through the ranks to become Assistant Fire Chief and eventually retired as District Fire Chief. He was known as a "firefighter's Chief"— a mentor, a jokester, a respected leader, and a man deeply devoted to those he served alongside. He also served as Financial Secretary for the Houston Firefighters Union Local 341, working tirelessly to improve benefits and support for his fellow firefighters.

Bobby had a big heart, a sharp wit, and a gift for making people laugh. He was always ready to lend a hand and had an unmatched strength of character that carried him through life's challenges. Bobby loved fiercely, worked hard, and lived with a spirit of loyalty and resilience.

Some of Bobby's happiest times were spent outdoors hunting, fishing, and traveling with family. He often spent October in Colorado or November at the deer lease with Eric, and he was especially proud of the "big one" he shot in Colorado, which is still gloriously displayed above his fireplace. Whether he was on the lease, out on a boat with his son and sons-in-law, or taking family trips to Canada, Disney World, Charleston, Lake LBJ, and Lake Travis, he loved spending time with all his family and had the most fun being a "Papa" to all his "grand kiddies."

Bobby is preceded in death by his beloved wife, Janet; his parents, Margaret Cobb and Jack Swisher; stepfather, TL Cobb; brothers, Jack Swisher and Tommy Cobb; and sister, Carolyn Cobb.

He is survived by his daughters, Laura Redden (Mike), Gail Rossett (Jerald), Elaine Nelson (Shane), and son Eric Swisher (Jennifer); his sisters Nicky, Tony, Anne, Marilyn, and Dorel; 14 grandchildren: Madelyn, Taylor, Marissa, Brandt, Faith, Justin, Cassie, Jerry, Ryan, Reese, Hannah, Molly, Chesley, and Lucas; and 10 great-grandchildren: McKenna, Carter, Holly, Dawson, Jameson, Ivy, Jasper, Palmer, Scarlett, and Sawyer.

Bobby will be greatly missed and until we meet again, "Go fight a fire."