TITLE: In memory of Robert Leon Oliver.

SUMMARY: In memory of Robert Leon Oliver.

FULL TEXT:
WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas honors and commemorates the life of Robert Leon Oliver, a cherished member of the Cuero community, who died on June 8, 2025, at the age of 75; and WHEREAS, A native Texan, Robert Oliver was born in Refugio on August 8, 1949; beginning from an early age, he developed an interest in his family's heritage and in the history of ranching in Texas while spending summers and holidays at his grandparents' ranch in Cheapside; Robert graduated from Refugio High School and enrolled at The University of Texas at Austin, where he played in the Longhorn Marching Band and was a member of the Acacia Fraternity; and WHEREAS, After earning his bachelor's degree in journalism, Robert moved to Vail, Colorado, where he took a job working at a restaurant to fund his first trip to Europe; this experience instilled in him a great appreciation for travel, architecture, and art, and he cultivated these interests throughout his life and later utilized his knowledge to preserve historic structures and beautify public spaces; he went on to enjoy a successful career in Vail as the owner and president of Plaza Lodge Properties, and he was a founding board member of the Betty Ford Alpine Gardens; and WHEREAS, Robert returned to South Texas in 1995 and became immersed in preserving the area's local heritage and the historic homes and buildings of DeWitt County; he became chairman of the Cuero Heritage Museum, where he curated many exhibits and served for a number of years; in 2000, he led the effort to establish the Chisholm Trail Heritage Museum, an award-winning institution opened in 2013 and featuring the storied ranching history of South Central Texas; Robert's dedication and philanthropy were instrumental in saving many notable historic buildings in Cuero, including the English-German School, which was renamed in his honor and was recognized in 2021 with a Preservation Texas Honor Award; and WHEREAS, A man of kindness, integrity, and generosity, Robert was a visionary community leader and a beloved and respected Cuero resident; his passion for history and the arts and his legacy of historic preservation will continue to enrich the lives of Texans long into the future, and his memory will be forever cherished by his devoted partner, Hebert Rojas-Silva, his dearest nieces and nephews, his many other loving family members, and by the many people who were privileged to know him and to share in his life; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 89th Legislature, 1st Called Session, hereby extend sincere condolences to the bereaved family of Robert Leon Oliver; and, be it further RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for his family as an expression of deepest sympathy from the Texas Senate and that when the Senate adjourns this day, it do so in memory of Robert Oliver. Kolkhorst President of the Senate I hereby certify that the above Resolution was adopted by the Senate on August 15, 2025, by a rising vote.