ROBERT NORBERT SMAISTRLA - Bob's earth journey has ended. From an El Campo farm birth in 1924, Bob's life path took him to Italy in WWII; through Rice University, into the industrial trades in Houston with B & B Engineering and others, and through almost all the nation's parks with his "lovely bride" Marie, and internationally to Palestine and Jerusalem, Hawaii, Egypt, Rome and beloved Prague. Along the way, he helped establish two churches St. Thomas More in Houston and St. Stephen Martyr in Coldspring, Texas. He enjoyed his Lake Livingston home for 35 years, drawing sustenance and energy, and gathering his kinfolk together. He always led the prayers and we knew him as a wonderful host. His active mind created enough chores for five of his children Joanne, Joyce, Teri, Tina, and Bobby; and he always had enough time for a boat ride and an ice cream with his special daughter Karen. His bride, Marie, led his care and transition to the new places he will travel. They would have celebrated 60 years of marriage this July. We bid him good travel, past the dull glaze of Parkinson's disease, with memories that he was larger than one man and a force that strengthened all who knew him. In Czech, spanem bohem means "go with God." Spanem bohem, Bob. Bob is survived by his wife, children and spouses: Joanne and Gray Miller, Joyce and Neal Sarahan, Teri and Claude Nowlin, Tina and Paul Hoffman, Bobby and Jacquie Smaistrla and very special Karen; grandchildren: Shannon, Chris, Michael, Larry, Corrie, Dan, Scott, Joe, Kate, Lisa; and great-grandchildren: Elizabeth, Emmelene, Luke and Colin. Visitation will be 5-7 P.M., with a rosary at 7:00 P.M., Tuesday, March 21, 2006 at St. Ambrose, 4213 Mangum Rd., Houston, TX 77092. Funeral Mass at 10:30 A.M. on Wednesday, with visitation one hour prior to Mass at St. Ambrose. Father Ben Smaistrla will officiate. Interment at Houston National Cemetery. Donations in Bob's memory can be sent to: Parkinson's Foundation of Harris County 7457 Harwin Houston, 77036 or to the Center Serving Persons with Mental Retardation - 3550 West Dallas Houston, 77019.

Published in Houston Chronicle on Mar. 20, 2006