Individual Details

Colonel Robert Lee Hefner, PhD. Colonel Robert Lee Hefner, PhD. 80, affectionately known as Papaw by his grandchildren, went to be with his Savior, Jesus Christ, on Friday, November 12, 2010. He was a respected professor, lifelong educator, passionately loyal Aggie, distinguished military officer, and devoted husband, father, and grandfather. His life was defined by dignity, integrity, and an unrelenting positive outlook. Robert Hefner was born on April 24, 1930 in Dallas, Texas to Clarence and Emma (Waller) Hefner. After college, Robert served two years in the Air Force and then transferred to the Army Reserves where he served for 31 years and retired as a full Colonel. He married Mary Lea Barbour in 1969 in Tulia, Texas. After receiving his doctorate at Texas A&M University in College Station, he moved with his family to San Marcos where he was a Professor of Educational Administration at Southwest Texas State University for 21 years. Dr. Hefner was affiliated with numerous educational organizations where his leadership inspired many superintendents, principals, and school board members. After retirement, he supervised administrative interns in the Central Texas area. An avid outdoorsman, Robert was an Eagle Scout who enjoyed meeting regularly with Eagle Scout buddies he had known for over 60 years. He also relished time with friends during fly-fishing trips to Colorado and New Mexico. Although he was a man of many interests including ranching, farming, camping, and gardening, his most cherished moments were spent with his family. He taught his children to love the Lord and lived out his faith in God daily. He gave freely of his time and mirrored Christ's love for us. Robert was preceded in death by his mother in 1944, his brother, C.W. Hefner, Jr. in 1988, his father in 1991 and one grandson, Joshua Hefner in 1991. Survivors include his wife of 41 years, Mary Lea Hefner, one brother, Thomas Earl Hefner and wife Jackie, one son, Larry Clayton Barbour and his wife, Julie, two daughters, Cheryl Lin Waggoner and her husband, Tom, Jennifer Jill Hefner and her husband, Tommy, and five grandchildren, Joseph Clayton Barbour, Callie Mae Hefner, Mary Kate Waggoner, Thomas Jacob Hefner, and Zachary Thomas Waggoner. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to your church or the charity of your choice. The family will receive friends on Tuesday, November 16, 2010 at 1:00 p.m. followed by a celebration of Robert's life at Pennington Funeral Home in San Marcos at 2:00 p.m. Interment will be immediately after at the San Marcos City Cemetery. Arrangements under the care and guidance of Pennington Funeral Home, San Marcos, 512-353-4311. Obituary and guest book online at www.penningtonfuneralhome.com.
Published by Austin American-Statesman on Nov. 14, 2010.

Birth	24 Apr 1930	Dallas, Dallas County, Texas
Marriage	5 Jun 1969	Swisher County, Texas - Living
Death	12 Nov 2010	Texas

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