88R26910 BPG-D
By: Lambert H.R. No. 1555
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, The residents of Abilene lost an admired champion of
higher education and friend to all with the passing of former state
representative Dr. Robert D. Hunter on February 11, 2023, at the
age of 94; and
WHEREAS, The son of Grover Cleveland Hunter and Grace May
Grubb Hunter, Bob Hunter was born in Dodge City, Kansas, on June 25,
1928; he grew up with 11 siblings, and after moving to California,
he graduated from high school in San Mateo; he relocated to Texas to
enroll at Abilene Christian College, beginning a lifelong
affiliation with the institution that would later become Abilene
Christian University; a leader in campus life during his
undergraduate years, he sang in the A Cappella Chorus and Men's
Quartet and served as president of several organizations; he was
also vice president of the Student Association and a statewide
officer in the Texas Intercollegiate Student Association; after
completing his bachelor's degree in business, he served in the U.S.
Navy during the Korean War, both in the Far East and with the
National Security Agency in Washington, D.C.; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Hunter returned to his beloved college alma
mater as director of special events, and in 1957, he was named its
first director of alumni relations; later, as assistant to the
president, he directed the 10-year Design for Development that led
to the construction of many new buildings; he eventually rose to
become senior vice president, a role that encompassed government
relations, before his retirement in 1993; committed to enriching
the student and alumni experience, he originated more than two
dozen ACU traditions, including Freshman Follies, the Parade of
Flags at Opening Assembly, the President's Circle Dinner, the
annual alumni awards program, Sing Song, and the Homecoming
Musical; he was known for his warm smile and trademark greeting,
"Hello, friend," and his tremendous enthusiasm and congeniality
helped define the ACU spirit; and
WHEREAS, In the 1970s, Dr. Hunter also served the wider
community during a term on the Abilene City Council; from 1970 to
1980, he was executive vice president of the Independent Colleges
and Universities of Texas, and he galvanized support for the
legislation creating the Tuition Equalization Grant program; since
its establishment, students at private institutions in the state
have received Tuition Equalization Grants totaling more than
$2.6 billion; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Hunter became the first Taylor County
Republican to win a seat in the Texas House of Representatives when
he was elected in 1986, and he was returned to office in the next 10
elections; working tirelessly in behalf of his constituents and
higher education in general, he missed just a single roll-call vote
over the course of two decades, when his doctors refused his pleas
to release him while he was being evaluated for a possible heart
attack; for a decade, he chaired the Committee on State, Federal and
International Relations, and he later led the House Research
Organization; and
WHEREAS, In 1990, Representative Hunter championed
legislation to enable Cisco College to build a campus in Abilene;
when the bill faced a potential veto from Governor William
P. Clements, who was displeased with a previous vote by the
representative, Dr. Hunter selflessly removed his name from the
legislation, and the measure became law; the next year, he was
appointed chair of the Higher Education Subcommittee on Budget and
Oversight, bringing to that role his deep expertise in the state's
dual system of higher education; in addition, he was vice chair for
the Committee on Regulated Industries and co-chair of the Special
House Select Committee on NAFTA and GATT international trade
agreements; no matter how stressful the situation, he lived up to
his nickname, "Smilin' Bob," and he brightened the days and earned
the affection of countless people in the Capitol community; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Hunter further benefited Abilene as a member of
the boards and advisory boards of numerous organizations, among
them the Classical Chorus of Abilene, Meals on Wheels, the West
Texas Rehabilitation Center, the Boys & Girls Clubs, and the
Abilene/Taylor County Child Advocacy Center; moreover, he was a
lifetime member of the VFW and the American Legion and, for over a
half century, he was an active member of University Church of
Christ; and
WHEREAS, The recipient of myriad accolades, Dr. Hunter was
awarded honorary doctorates by ACU, Texas Wesleyan University, the
University of St. Thomas, Austin College, Hardin-Simmons
University, McMurry University, and Pepperdine University in
California; in February 2006, ACU named its Robert D. and Shirley
Hunter Welcome Center in honor of Dr. Hunter and his wife; the
couple married on May 27, 1954, and they were blessed with three
children, Kent, Carole, and Les, as well as numerous grandchildren
and great-grandchildren; Mrs. Hunter passed away in 2021; and
WHEREAS, The loss of Bob Hunter is keenly felt by the
multitude of friends that he made and the many people whose lives he
forever enriched, but his enormous contributions will continue to
resonate in the years to come, and he will forever hold a special
place in the hearts of all who were fortunate enough to know him;
now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 88th Texas
Legislature hereby pay tribute to the memory of the Honorable
Dr. Robert D. Hunter and extend sincere condolences to the members
of his family: to his children and their spouses, Kent Hunter and
Jonathan Blumberg, Carole Phillips and her husband, Danny, and Les
Hunter; to his grandchildren and their spouses, Landon and Jennifer
Phillips, Chad and Aundrea Phillips, Mitchell and Emily Danesi,
Dino Hunter, and Lyra Hunter; to his great-grandchildren, Crawford
Danesi, Henley Danesi, Beckham Phillips, and Kenzo Phillips; and to
his other relatives 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. Bob
Hunter.