Robert H. Thalmann Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information

Dr. Robert H. Thalmann passed away on Friday, March 13, 2015 at the age of 75 in the care of the medical staff at St. Luke's Hospital and his family. Robert was born in Bandera, Texas on November 14, 1939. He graduated from Bandera High School in 1957 as valedictorian and went on to a distinguished academic career at the University of Texas in Austin and the University of Michigan for graduate studies. He continued his academic and career pursuits at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, Texas where he worked as a research scientist and professor for 46 years. His work was mentally and spiritually rewarding and he loved seeing his students succeed and excel in the medical community. In his fight with cancer he was treated by many of the same students who had taken his classes, an immeasurable source of pride for him. Our family would like to thank all of those involved in his care. Dr. Thalmann was much more than a distinguished professor to his family. We knew him as Robert or Bob. He had a great sense of humor, was an expert at bringing people together who disagreed and could talk about "explosive" issues without an explosion. His style was unconscious and was derived from a genuine respect for others and their views. He grew up in the Hill Country of Bandera County, and he had a connection to the land and the people that was never broken. He had recently built a house near Bandera and spent as many weekends as possible there with his wife Cynthia. But, what we will miss the most is his joy for life. His laugh was explosive and contagious. He was awed by nature and the accomplishments of man. He had a way of making you know you were important to him. It was an honor to be part of his family. Words cannot describe how much this man will be missed. Survivors Wife, Cynthia Scott; family, Shannon and John Dillard, Shawn and Kitty Coker; grandchildren, Susan Dillard, Ryan Coker and Alex Coker; extended family and dear friends. Memorial Celebration - 2:00 pm Saturday, March 21 at the Crowne Plaza River Oaks at 2712 Southwest Fwy Houston, Texas 77098. In lieu of flowers, please consider a gift to Baylor College of Medicine for the Frank L. Kretzer, Ph.D. Endowed Fund. Checks may be made payable to BCM and mailed to the Office of Philanthropy, MSC #800, P.O. Box 4976, Houston, TX 77210. A gift may also be made by phone at (713) 798-4714. Gifts may also go to the Houston Hospice (houstonhospice.org).