Col. Ret.

Colonel Austin W. Roberts ret. was born September 13, 1916 in Hockley, Texas and passed away October 25, 2008 in Bryan, Texas. The youngest of three children, Austin was born to Austin and John Alice Binford Roberts, and grew up in Woodland Heights of Houston. He graduated from Reagan High School, where he met his future wife of 62 years, Ruth Dietz. They were married June 14, 1941 at Woodland Baptist Church in Houston. Austin attended Texas A&M University from 1936-1941, paying for his college by working as a surveyor shooting asphalt to build roads. To save money, during the Christmas break from college Austin worked days in the Houston Post Office evenings on the Railway Express. Austin earning a degree in agricultural economics in 1941. Following graduation and marriage to Ruth, Austin joined the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. He served in both World War II and the Korean War and remained active in the Army Reserve until 1971 when he retired with the rank of Colonel. Austin earned an MBA at the University of Houston and graduated from the Army Command and General Staff College. He was an accredited tax advisor, enrolled to practice before the IRS and tax courts. Austin continued to maintain a limited list of clients/friends even after her death. Austin has been an ordained deacon for more than 35 years, an active Mason and member of the Scottish Rite and Shrine for more than 60 years. The last years of Austin''s and Ruth''s lives were spent in Brenham, where they were active members of the Calvary Baptist Church. Over the years, Austin and Ruth were avid supporters of Texas A&M University. They donated over 20 Scholarships, have donated flag poles for use at A&M, and have named the university as one of the five charities they remember in their estate. Austin and Ruth said of their contribution to Texas A&M University, "Our greatest pleasure comes from giving something back to the university and being able to help others." They often stated their greatest hope was that their gifts would inspire others to do the same and give back to the source of their education. Until their deaths, Austin and Ruth remained active in the Army Veterans'' Associations, organizing, hosting and often providing transportation to the annual national reunions for the rapidly diminishing ranks of WWII soldiers. Austin was preceded in death by his devoted wife, Ruth; his two sisters, Inez Brewer and Allene Parrott; and his parents. He is survived by his daughter, Diane Benson and her husband Leigh of McKinleyville, California; nieces Judy Cottrell of Houston and Teresa Mills of LaPorte. Visitation with the family will be from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Tuesday Oct. 28 at Memorial Oaks Chapel. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 29 at Calvary Baptist Church in Brenham. Burial with full military honors will be 2:00 p.m. Wednesday at Brookside Memorial Cemetery at Hwy. 59 and Lauder in Houston. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Ruth D. Roberts Leadership Scholarship at Texas A&M University or a charity of your choice. Funeral arrangements are entrusted to Memorial Oaks Chapel, 1306 W. Main St., Brenham. To view the obituary or to post a tribute online, visit www.memorialoakschapel.com.