Robert Allen "Bob" Lacey

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Robert Allen “Bob” Lacey in the early morning hours of March 8 at his home in Bryan, Texas. During his final days, he was surrounded by the love of family and friends.

Bob was born at home in Centerville, Texas to Charles Robert and Cora Belle Lacey. An only child, he attended school in Centerville and spent weekends and summers at the Lacey Ranch riding horses and raising Brahman cattle and Angora goats. He was an avid outdoorsman, a force of nature, and his antics were legendary. He appreciated life and exemplified kindness.

The combination of his educator parents’ views on higher education, the importance of Texas land, and the relevance of nearby Texas A&M University led Bob to enroll in 1956, just as his father had done some years before. The Lacey family of Leon County has ties that span over 100 years of higher education in Texas. Bob’s great-grandfather, Col. Robert Lacey, the first Lacey to make Texas home, helped establish Texas A&M in 1876. A framer of the Texas Constitution, the Colonel worked for the college’s founding with Governor Sul Ross. It was no surprise that Bob chose to attend Texas A&M and many family members followed.

Bob earned a Bachelor’s degree in 1960 and a Master’s degree in 1963 and taught in the Math Department at Texas A&M. Soon, he was offered the opportunity to begin the Ph.D. program when a phone call from President James Earl Rudder changed the direction of his career; he asked Bob to take a position in the Office of the Registrar as Assistant Registrar to “correct a problem” and oversee changes in the office. Bob was a natural to step into this endeavor, winning the confidence of many and achieving success.  In a few years, Bob was appointed Registrar and remained in that position for over 20 years. He implemented the first online registration system, served and chaired numerous committees, and signed thousands of Texas A&M diplomas throughout his career. He was also active in community service for decades.

Bob and his wife, Linda, brought together a family of remarkable individuals when they married in 1988. Sons and daughters, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and many friends enjoyed years of togetherness and joy at the Lacey Ranch, Aggie football games, holidays, birthdays, and events across Texas, Oklahoma, California, and beyond.

His legacy and his wife’s continue through their gifts of Endowments, Scholarships, Faculty Fellowships, 12^th Man Scholarships, Corps Scholarships, and many more.

Bob is survived by his loving wife Linda and family, Kim Lacey Alexander, Susan Lacey Jones (Steve), Laura Lacey Wessels (Stephen), Michael Gibson (Julie), Patrick Gibson (Frank), Laura Gibson; grandchildren Katelin East (Brad), Jake Alexander, Lacey Jones, Ryan Jones, Christopher Dunn (Hannah), Ashlynn Wessels, Alyssa Wessels, Lily Gibson, Grant Gibson, Nicole Gibson, Natalie Gibson; and great-grandchildren Sam, Rowan, Paige, and Liv East.

In lieu of customary remembrances, please consider directing a memorial contribution to the Texas A&M Foundation, 500 George Bush Drive, College Station, Texas 77840-2918 or online at https://www.txamfoundation.com/give.aspx