Robert Alan Ambrose

Robert Alan Ambrose 1938-2016

 

Robert Alan Ambrose, of Houston, TX, passed away on February 1st, 2016. Bob was born in Ponca City, OK, on January 31st, 1938, to Thelma Kingery and Zuell Ambrose. Before his family settled in Houston in 1954, Bob's youth was uniquely shaped by life in Evangeline Parish, LA, in Corpus Christi, TX, and Monroe, LA, as well as work on the Kingery family farm in Garfield County, Oklahoma. Bob graduated from Lamar High School, excelling in academics, football, music, and the arts, and received a Bachelor of Architecture from Tulane University, where he also joined Kappa Sigma fraternity and the Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps.

After Tulane, Bob entered active duty as an officer in the United States Navy, serving on the destroyer USS Brush deployed to the Western Pacific. Stationed off the California coast, Bob toured the Pacific Islands, Japan, and Korea. Fully expecting to pursue a career as a naval officer, Bob met MaryEllen Zander, of Long Beach, CA, through a mutual friend, and decided that family life was what truly mattered. Filling out the application by hand on a stormy sea, Bob was accepted to the Harvard School of Design, and travelled with his new bride to Boston, where he received his Master of Architecture degree.
Bob then brought his new family back to Houston, starting his professional career in 1964 with projects at NASA as a production architect for W.W. Alexander. In 1965 he moved to Freeman and Van Ness and worked on the Bates College of Law at the University of Houston, which received the Texas Society of Architects Honor Award. In 1967, Bob was recruited by Caudill Rowlett Scott, where he rose to Vice President and Senior Design Leader. At CRS, he developed his skills working on numerous education, health, and institutional facilities across the country and close to home, such as the iconic Hyatt Regency atrium in downtown Houston.

After moving to Evanston, IL, to help lead company expansion to Chicago, Bob again brought his family back to Houston in 1974, in order to start his own architectural practice and partnership, which he would guide successfully for almost forty years. The firm became well known for its public school and community projects, which were most dear to his heart. He was particularly honored to have served Spring Branch ISD and Houston ISD, Lamar University, Clear Lake Presbyterian Church, Texas A&M, Galveston, UT Health Science Center, and UTMB, to name a few.

Bob was known by colleagues for his enormous talent, deep passion, technical proficiency, attention to detail, and unquestionable professional integrity. He was an expert on how to provide artful design and quality service in an economical fashion, since many of his clients had limited budgets. Beyond these skills, he knew how to lead a team and orchestrate other consultants into a coherent and coordinated whole, the essence of what an architect means in the literal sense – "master builder".

For many years, Bob was generous with his time and talents for organizations and causes that he felt strongly about. Mentoring young architects was central to his dedication to the profession, and he served on a number of design juries at UT Austin and Rice University. Bob also served as a long-time board member and agency friend for Neighborhood Centers, Inc., contributing both professionally and personally in order to strengthen community engagement and provide educational and financial opportunities for low-income families. At the agency, Bob was known as a terrific family man, and one who appreciated diversity.

Towards the end of his career, Bob developed architectural designs and master planning for the Wonderland/Beatrice Mayes Institute campus. In retirement, Bob continued his involvement with Wonderland, serving as its first board member, mentoring the superintendent through every aspect of the campus expansion, and contributing towards the development of a STEM curriculum.

Bob is survived by his brother, Zuell Philip Ambrose, and wife Gretchen Van Slyke; his son Robert Owen Ambrose, and wife Catherine Glauber Ambrose; and son David Alan Ambrose. Bob is also survived by his four amazing grandchildren, Eric Ryan Ambrose, Alexander Brian Ambrose, JoEllen Ambrose, and Mary Charles Ambrose. Above all else, Bob loved and admired his wife, MaryEllen, in what they came to believe was a "miracle of God marriage". He was tremendously proud and supportive of his children and grandchildren, and will be greatly missed.

An inurnment service commemorating Bob's extraordinary life will be held at 3:00 PM on Saturday, February 20th, at Memorial Oaks Funeral Home in the Botanical Gardens, 13001 Katy Fwy, Houston, TX 77079. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that we continue Bob's legacy of community service with contributions made to:
Wonderland, Inc,
c/o: Robert Ambrose
Memorial Fund
5807 Calhoun Rd.
Houston, TX 77021
http://wonderlandinc.org
/for-supporters

Published in Houston Chronicle on Feb. 18, 2016

Elinor Wiggin Collier

Elinor Wiggin Collier

Elinor Wiggin Collier died peacefully on February 3, 2016. A lifelong Houstonian, Ellie was born on August 19, 1939, to Elinor Ives Wiggin and Jack Wiggin. She entered St. John's School as a third grader the year the school opened, and was a graduate of Lamar High School's Class of 1956. 

Ellie loved her family, delighted in her grandchildren, and said that becoming a grandmother was the greatest joy of her life. Some of her happiest days were spent on the Guadalupe River in Hunt, Texas, volunteering for causes important to her, worshipping the sun in Galveston, Texas, reading to her grandchildren, and spending time on/off the court with her tennis friends. Ellie loved Houston and was an avid Astros fan. She was proud of her work in the nonprofit sector, as the Executive Director of the Houston READ Commission and The Coalition for the Homeless, and as Director of Volunteer Opportunities at The University of St. Thomas. 

Her parents and son Jack W. Collier predecease Ellie. She is survived by her son Jay Collier and wife Joanne, daughter Julia Collier Humphreys and husband David, daughter-in-law Blake Brennan Collier, grandsons Jack Collier, Jr., Ford Collier, William Collier, and Miller Humphreys and granddaughter Collier Humphreys. She is also survived by her sister Susie Wiggin and her Ives cousins in New Orleans.

In accordance with Ellie's wishes, the family will hold a private memorial service. Should friends desire, memorial contributions may be made to The Beacon Outreach Ministry, c/o Christ Church Cathedral, 1117 Texas Avenue, Houston, TX 77002. www.helpthebeacon.com

Published in Houston Chronicle on Feb. 7, 2016

Norman Ankenman

F. Norman Ankenman, III 1938-2016
 

F. Norman Ankenman, III, 76, passed away Wed Jan. 27, 2016. A third generation native Houstonian, Norm was a dedicated and loving husband, father and grandfather. He was a member of Alpha Tau Omega fraternity at The University of Texas and graduated from The University of Texas School of Law in 1963. He practiced real estate law until his retirement. Norm was a Little League umpire, president of the civic club and an avid hunter and fisherman. He is survived by his wife Margaret Ann Wilson Ankenman, his daughter Melissa Ankenman Gautier, his son Lane Norman Ankenman, sisters Lyndal Davis and her husband Frank, Decie Richardson and her husband Joe, brother Damon Ankenman and his wife Emma, and granddaughter Quincy Elizabeth Gautier. The family will receive friends on Sunday from 4-6p.m. Services will be held Monday at 2p.m. at the funeral home.

Published in Houston Chronicle on Jan. 30, 2016

Jen Tomlinson Schroeder

Jen Tomlinson Schroeder

Born November 5, 1937, passed away at age 76 on Friday, March 7, 2014. Jen was married for 22 years to Wil Schroeder and was widowed in 1986. She is survived by sons, Erich, his wife, Tina and son, Cary as well as grandchildren, Chloe and Aaron. Jen was preceded in death by her brother Oren (Tommy) Tomlinson. She was born and raised in Houston TX, graduating from Lamar High School and the University of Texas. The family moved to Knoxville, TN in 1980 with Tucker Steel. She was very active in politics, numerous community non-profits, such as the Helen Ross McNabb Center, National Alliance on Mental Illness, United Way, Meals on Wheels and others, as well as, Cokesbury United Methodist Church. Jen loved to travel and took numerous trips all over the world. In later years, her dear friend Dr. Carl Mathews accompanied her on many of these. She was a devoted mother who always put her boys before herself and clean carpet. Through numerous illnesses she exhibited great toughness and determination, never wanting others to worry about her but always tremendously appreciative of her church and friends who did so much for her. Always there to lend an ear, offer a shoulder to cry on or for just a great conversation that left you feeling better. She spent her life giving us all the best she had, and now the best has come to her. A Celebration of Life will be held at 1:30 p.m., Tuesday, March 11, 2014 at Cokesbury United Methodist Church at 9919 Kingston Pike in Knoxville, TN with a reception to follow. In lieu of flowers, donations should go to Helen Ross McNabb Center, 201 W. Springdale Avenue, Knoxville, TN 37917. Click Funeral Home Farragut Chapel, 11915 Kingston Pike is serving the Schroeder family. www.clickfh.com

Published in Houston Chronicle on Mar. 9, 2014

Deane Poth Key

Deane P. Key of Avondale, Pennsylvania passed away at her home on Saturday, September 5, 2015.  She was 77 years old.  Born in Houston, Texas, she was the daughter of the late Arnold T. Poth and the late Viola M. Poth.

She was the beloved wife of P. Leland Key; mother of Charlotte K. Geiger and her husband James R. Geiger and Leland J. Key and his wife Julie C. Key; grandmother of Matthew J. Geiger, Garrett A. Geiger, Julia L. Key, Ashleigh M. Key, and Caitlyn E. Key; and sister of the late Arnold T. Poth, Jr.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial donation to the Abramson Cancer Center at the Chester County Hospital, 701 E. Marshall Street, West Chester, PA 19382 or Neighborhood Health Hospice, 400 E. Marshall Street, West Chester, PA 19382.
 
A Celebration of Deane’s life will be held on Sunday, October 4 at the Traditions at Inniscrone Clubhouse located at 320 Whitestone Road in Avondale, PA.  Members of Deane’s family will be present from 2 to 5 PM to share memories of her life with friends and neighbors. Light refreshments will be served.

Kara Lynne Monroe

Kara Lynne Monroe Heiss

1938 - 2015 Obituary 

 

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Kara Lynne Monroe Heiss passed away peacefully at her home in Houston, Texas the 25th of November 2015.
Kara Lynne was born in Houston the 4th of November 1938. She attended West University Elementary, Pershing Junior High and graduated from Lamar High School in 1956. She earned her B.A. degree from the University of Houston in 1960, majoring in French. Kara spent a semester in France which helped develop her lifelong passion for the French language and culture.
Kara's last years found her housebound due to several health issues. She made a point to stay in touch with friends and family through phone conversations and she never missed sending birthday or holiday cards to everyone in the family. Kara found great joy in her pet cats and any number of other cats that seemed to hang around her house knowing they would get fed. She also was a true fan of both the Astros and the Texans, never missing a game on TV.

Kara worked with her mother, Hilda, for many years on children's programs for West University Baptist Church and was a member of the choir for over 20 years. She was a member of the Bluebell Chapter of the Order of the Eastern Star and held many offices in that organization over the years.

Kara Lynne was preceded in death by her sister, Mary Ann Monroe Moore and her mother Hilda and father Bill Monroe.
Kara Lynne is survived by her two brothers; Bill Monroe and wife, Debbie; Glenn Monroe and wife, Cathey, all of Fort Worth, Texas; and brother-in-law, Chadd Moore of Houston. She is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews and their children. 

The interment service is to be conducted at one o'clock in the afternoon on Saturday, the 12th of December at Forest Park Lawndale Cemetery, 6900 Lawndale Street in Houston.
In lieu of customary remembrances, contributions in Kara's memory may be directed to Houston Humane Society, 14700 Almeda Rd., Houston, TX 77053; or Susan G. Komen , 602 Sawyer St., Suite 201, Houston, TX 77007.

Published in Houston Chronicle on Dec. 9, 2015

Eddie Cornitius

 Leonard Edwin Cornitius, Jr. (Ed)

1936-2015

Died on November 26, 2015, at age 79 years. The son of Leonard and Janet Cornitius, he was born in Houston, Texas on April 23, 1936. A graduate of Lamar High School, he resided all of his life in Houston with the exception of time served in the U. S. Army and immediately thereafter. He later had a highly successful career at NASA. He is remembered with love by his son, Clinton Cole Cornitius; his sister, Lynette Horrocks; his brother, Timothy Cornitius; and his wife of 45 years, Merle whom he called “A Gem”. He was a faithful member of the Nassau Bay Baptist Church. Visitation will be at 10am Tuesday, Dec. 1, followed by funeral service at 11am at Nassau Bay Baptist Church.