ROBERT SIMON HELLER

1925-2017

Bob, age 91, resident of Houston for 63 years, passed away peacefully on April 1, 2017 surrounded by his loving family. He was born on July 24, 1925 in Okmulgee, OK to Harold and Isabel Heller.

Bob joined the Army Air Corps in 1944 but never got to fly, “because they ran out of war.” He graduated from the University of Texas -Austin in 1948 with a degree in Radio Broadcasting. While at UT, he met and married, as he said, the best looking and most talented member of his class, Phyllis DeBorde. Bob began his life’s career in radio, television, advertising and public relations. His first job was at radio station KVET in Austin followed by KTAE in Taylor. Under the direction of station owner Lyndon B. Johnson, he helped launch Austin’s first television station KLBJ in 1953.

From there, Bob worked with Houston area advertising agencies before forming his own political public relations firm. Over the next 35 years, he handled more than 200 national, statewide and local political campaigns. In Texas, his candidates included U.S. Senators John Tower and Lloyd Bentsen and Governor Dolph Briscoe. In Houston, he worked for Mayors Louie Welch, Fred Hofheinz and Jim McConn and County Commissioner Jon Lindsay. When Bob retired from politics, he rounded out his career as a freelance writer/ producer for KPRC-TV. He continued to use his talents for many years by volunteering in the media department of Memorial Drive United Methodist Church.

He had a love and appreciation for all types of music which began when he was a drummer in high school. In the early years of their marriage, Bob played the drums and Phyllis sang with a dance band in Austin. His other passions were flying his airplane and sailing on the Gulf.

Bob is survived by wife of 69 years, Phyllis; his beloved daughters Leslie Dawson (Sam) and Melissa Johnson (Jeff ); grandsons Mitchell Johnson (Rachel) and Wade Johnson.

A memorial service to celebrate his life will be held on Wednesday, April 12, 2017 at 11:00 a.m. at Memorial Drive United Methodist Church, 12955 Memorial Drive, Houston, Texas 77079.

Because of Bob’s love of animals, especially Golden Retrievers, donations may be made in his name to Houston Pets Alive!, P.O. Box 36128, Houston, TX 77236 or online at houstonpetsalive.org.