WOLFE CITY, Texas — Edward Robert “Bob” Whittlesey-Stapp Sr., beloved husband, father, grandfather, and great- grandfather, was received into glory April 1, 2015. He was 78.

Bob’s residence at the time of his death was Wolfe City. He was cherished as a devoted brother and uncle, who never failed to offer his advice and cheer. Bob was without a doubt the perennial optimistic pessimist, and will be sorely missed by all of his family.

Bob was born April 12, 1936, in Dallas to Edward Long and Roberta Shaw Stapp. He was graduated from Schreiner Institute, Kerrville, Texas, and attended Texas A & M University, College Station, Texas.

In 1955, Bob married his first love, Ruth Caroline Whittlesey-Stapp. They were married until her death in 1974. Bob was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Wolfe City. He was a veteran of the U.S. Navy and a member of the Masonic Lodge. His career field for many years until his retirement was that of a building engineer for several schools and businesses in the Dallas area.

He loved history, and Civil War history was of special interest to him. His interest was such that he and his wife Ruth made many trips to Vicksburg and developed enduring friendships with history buffs V. Blaine Russell, Gordon Cotton, and Cyril O’Neill.

He and Ruth moved with their family to Vicksburg in 1972, where they purchased and re-opened the Showboat Restaurant on the old stern wheel steamer Sprague. After Ruth’s death, Bob sold the restaurant and returned with his family to Dallas.

Bob said many times that he was blessed to have two great loves in his life, and in November 1980 he married Jane Rose Glasgow Stapp, his wife of 34 years. In his retirement years, Bob and Jane had booths in several antique malls, and enjoyed going to auctions in neighboring areas. Bob’s avocation and hobby was restoring and repairing old telephones.

Bob was preceded in death by his parents and by his brother, William Stephen Stapp.

Besides his wife Jane, Bob is survived by two sons, Edward Robert (Barbara) Stapp Jr. and Donald Glenn (Desiree) Stapp; one daughter, Victoria Caroline Stapp; and a stepson, Mark (Cathy) Glasgow.

He is also survived by two sisters, Sue Stapp Ahlvin (Richard) of Vicksburg and Patricia Stapp Pederson, Dallas; grandchildren and great-grandchildren; a nephew, Michael (Hye Eun) Edward Pederson; a niece, Anne (Sam) Pederson Curtis; and three grandnephews.

Services were conducted April 4, 2015, in Dallas at Sparkman-Hillcrest Garden Mausoleum under the direction of R. W. Owens & Son Funeral Home of Wolfe City, Texas. Pastor Patrick Archibald officiated.