86R31368 SME-D
By: Bucy H.R. No. 1539
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, Dr. Robert Keith Pendergrass of Austin passed away
on June 21, 2018, at the age of 93, leaving his loved ones to reflect
on a life of meaningful accomplishments and dedicated service to
his country; and
WHEREAS, The son of Lee Roy and Helena Slezinsky Pendergrass,
Robert Pendergrass was born in Kingsville on September 15, 1924,
and he grew up with the companionship of two siblings, William and
Helen; after graduating early from Crozier Technical High School in
downtown Dallas, he enrolled at Texas A&M College in 1941, at age
16; he was one of the few first-semester freshmen to be admitted to
the college's Singing Cadets choral group, and he retained his
passion for singing and music throughout his life; both he and his
brother showcased their vocal talents as regular performers on the
WRR Gospel Hour in Dallas; and
WHEREAS, On December 8, 1941, the day after the attack on
Pearl Harbor, Mr. Pendergrass volunteered for service in the United
States Army, which granted him a deferred induction until the end of
the school year in 1942; assigned to the Medical Corps, he was sent
to Ohio State University and the University of Michigan Medical
School to complete his undergraduate and medical degrees; after
completing his surgical residency at Baylor Hospital in Dallas, he
reenlisted in the U.S. Air Force to assist in the Korean War effort;
he served as chief of surgery for the 3555th Medical Group at Perrin
Air Force Base in Sherman before being promoted to commander of the
3645th Medical Group and Hospital at Laughlin Air Force Base in Del
Rio; and
WHEREAS, In 1953, Dr. Pendergrass entered private practice
as a general family physician and surgeon in Pittsburg; he
continued in that role until 1980, often treating patients on house
calls, as had long been the practice in rural East Texas; during
that time, he also served as medical director for the Medical and
Surgical Hospital of Camp County and as a faculty member of the
medical schools at Louisiana State and Vanderbilt Universities; he
found great fulfillment in caring for local residents, and he also
worked tirelessly to eradicate racial bigotry in the area; in 1964,
he successfully ran for and served as president of the Pittsburg
School Board to help ensure the full integration of the school
system; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Pendergrass shared 67 years of marriage with his
beloved wife, Mary Pendergrass; he took great pride in his four
children and their spouses, Robert Keith Pendergrass and his wife,
Juli, Mary Virginia Lannen and her husband, Rick, Henry Lee
Pendergrass and his wife, Coleen, and Peter William Pendergrass and
his wife, Desiree; with the passing years, the family grew to
include nine grandchildren, Virginia, John, R. H., Anna, Sarah,
Peter, Katie, Abby, and Annie, as well as three
great-grandchildren; Dr. Pendergrass also welcomed into his home a
Swedish exchange student, Janne Zetterqvist, who became like a son
to him; and
WHEREAS, In 1981, Dr. Pendergrass and his wife moved to
Austin, where he worked for the Texas Department of Human Resources
as the deputy commissioner for health policy and programs and as the
special assistant for health affairs; he later became the Texas
state Medicaid director, as well as vice president and medical
director for the National Heritage Insurance Company and a medical
advisor for Electronic Data Systems; he had the distinction of
being appointed by Governor Bill Clements to the Governor's
Coordinating Committee to Facilitate Organ Transplants, and he was
reappointed by Governor Mark White after Governor Clements left
office; and
WHEREAS, Deeply proud of his Texas heritage, Dr. Pendergrass
was a founding member of the Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum,
which gave him an outlet to share the state's rich history with
friends and acquaintances who visited Austin; he and his wife were
also valued members of St. David's Episcopal Church; after retiring
at age 72, he taught himself Spanish and took up oil painting,
completing several works for his grandchildren; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Robert Pendergrass was admired and respected
for his considerable gifts and accomplishments, as well as for his
devotion to his family, state, and country, and he will forever
remain a source of inspiration for those he leaves behind; now,
therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 86th Texas
Legislature hereby pay tribute to the memory of Dr. Robert Keith
Pendergrass and extend sincere sympathy to his family and friends;
and, be it further
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
prepared for his family and that when the Texas House of
Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of
Dr. Pendergrass.