Robert "Bob" Gordon Marbut

Robert Gordon Marbut passed on peacefully, February 19, 2022, in New York City, with his wife Janette Macdonald Marbut by his side. He was born on April 11, 1935 in Athens, Georgia to Robert Smith Marbut and Laura Gordon (Powers) Marbut.

Growing up in Athens, Bob was very active in the YMCA and was one of the “Kelley Boys.” As President of his senior class in high school, Bob stayed involved with frequent Alumni reunions. Upon earning an architectural scholarship, Bob went to Georgia Institute of Technology. He later changed his major to engineering and joined Air Force ROTC. Throughout his time at Tech he was an active member of Delta Tau Delta and became editor of the college newspaper.

After graduating from Georgia Tech, he became an Aircraft Maintenance Officer in the US Air Force’s 308th Bombardment Wing which was part of the Strategic Air Command. While in the USAF and later at Copley, he was a part-time college math instructor at Armstrong College, Woodbury College, and California State University. Toward the conclusion of his Air Force service, Bob earned a Teagle Foundation Scholarship and was accepted to Harvard Business School where he earned an MBA with Distinction. With his fellow Harvard Topic Group members, they wrote a book published by Prentice-Hall titled Creative Collective Bargaining - Meeting Today’s Challenges to Labor-Management Relations. The members of this group have stayed good friends over the years.

Bob’s first job was a plant engineer at ESSO in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.  He was later recruited by Copley Press to be the director of engineering in La Jolla, California. In 1970, he moved to San Antonio to become Vice-President of Harte-Hanks Newspapers and was promoted to President & CEO in 1971, serving in this role for twenty years.  At the time, Bob was one of the youngest Fortune 500 CEOs.  In 1992, he founded Argyle Communications and soon after, Argyle Television Holdings. Argyle Television then merged with the Hearst television group to form Hearst-Argyle Television. He co-founded several other companies including SecTecGlobal, Electronics Line 3000 and most recently Fedora Security.

He served on several Fortune 500 boards, the longest service at Valero Energy Corporation and Tupperware Inc.  Bob served in leadership positions on several national trade organizations including being Vice Chairman of the Associated Press, Chairman of American Newspaper Publishers Association, a Director of American Society of News Editors. Bob also served on several college and national non-profit boards of directors including Up With People and United Way.

Bob thought it was very important to give back to the communities he lived in and to be actively involved in civic government. Over the years he worked with many presidents, foreign leaders, and other government officials. Locally he served as chairman of many Texas and San Antonio non-profit organizations including being Chairman of the San Antonio Chamber of Commerce and the United Way. He especially enjoyed working with Mayor Henry Cisneros on Target-90, which was a very large community building effort that led to many of San Antonio’s biggest infrastructure projects and social improvements.  Bob led many local civic efforts like saving Fort Sam Houston’s BAMC Medical Center when it was slated for decommissioning and was the impetus leader to get the Toyota plant located in San Antonio.

Bob read extensively and loved World War II history. He also loved going to and watching his San Antonio Spurs, the Olympics and anything football.  He especially loved watching games when his nephew was coaching at University of Michigan or the Baltimore Ravens. Bob also loved to ski, having skied for the last time when he was 84.

He lived by very high standards that he set for himself. He has left a written guideline for his family and friends.  More important than his business and civic leadership roles, he cherished being a husband, father and grandfather. Bob loved his family and treasured hosting mega-family gatherings and family vacations.

The globetrotter in Bob had him venturing to every continent of the world. Bob’s favorite places to explore were New Zealand, cruising on the Queen Mary, and Antarctica.  Jan and Bob were partners in everything they did and were by each other’s side until the very end.  His words of wisdom for others, “When one’s life is at its end the only thing that matters is that you have loved and been loved…and the rest is background music.”

Bob is survived by his wife Janette Macdonald Marbut; his son, Robert Gordon Marbut, Jr. (Marbella Avilez) and children Alan, Amanda Andrea, Chris, Jon, Matt, Mike, Peter; his daughter Laura Dodd Marbut (Lee Ramirez), children Trevor, Liam, Shane, Mica, Karissa; his son, Michael Powers Marbut (Isabella Brogan), children Luke, Nelle, Henri; his youngest daughter, Marcy Lizbeth Marbut.

He is also survived by Jan’s family: stepson, Stewart Johnson (Heather), children, Emma and Claire; Brother-in-law Hugh Macdonald (Sabrina), children Katie, Mike, Maggie; Sister-in-law Mariette Wooden (Doug), children Douglas and Sarah; Sister-in-law Suzette Lebenzon (Jeff Weinstein), children Beatrix and Roxanne; Nanette Limbacher (Bill), daughter Jenni..  Bob is also survived by his cousins Peggy Callihan, Lauren Schrantz (Nate) and Jonathan.

Bob wanted to be buried alongside his mother and father in Athens, Georgia. A graveside service will be held Saturday, March 5, 2022, at 2:00pm, at the Oconee Hill Cemetery, followed by a reception at the Sexton’s House.

There will be a celebration of Bob’s life, on his 87th birthday, April 11, 2022 at The Argyle in San Antonio, 4- 6pm.

In lieu of flowers, Bob requested donations be sent to The Johnson Center for Surgical Innovation, c/o UTHSCSA, Mail Code 7742, San Antonio, TX  78229.

Lord & Stephens Funeral Home, EAST, Athens, Georgia is in charge of arrangements. www.lordandstephens.com.