Robert Koller

Robert Koller December 27, 1917 – April 29, 2006 Robert Koller, 88, passed away Saturday, April 29, 2006 at a local hospital. Memorial services will be at 10:30 am, Thursday, May 4 at Korea United Methodist Church formerly known as Service Memorial Methodist 3600 Memorial Drive. Robert was born December 27, 1917 to Oswald and Bertha Eiholzer Koller. Raised in Brodhead, Wisconsin, he attended school where he was a Band Major, Captain of the football team and Cheerleader. He then earned his Bachelor’s degree from the University of Wisconsin. After graduating, he moved to Chicago where he enlisted in the Army. During this time he began his post-graduate work in Psychology at Purdue University. While in the service, he met and married the lovely Frances Johnson Koller. They moved to Waco and raised a family of five. Robert did post-graduate studies at Baylor and was later employed as an Educational Therapist at the Waco VA hospital. A steadfast member of Service Memorial Methodist Church, he was servant, giver, teacher and leader. For over 20 years, he was a coordinator and volunteer for the Meals on Wheels program. Robert had many interests and was enthusiastic about them all. He was obsessed with Aeronautics and was immeasurably annoyed that poor eyesight prevented him from becoming a pilot; however, he hitched as many rides from his pilot-son as he could. A lover of sweets, he ate like a horse, stayed thin as a rail and was much stronger than he appeared. He was the best swimmer, the trickiest diver, the highest climber and could walk around the entire yard on his hands. He was an avid bicyclist his entire life and would never let you beat him in a race. He was friend to cats and dogs and was rescuer and provider for countless grateful birds and squirrels. He volunteered at the zoo with Frances. He had a green thumb, a passion for growing flowers and passed along a love for nature and wildlife to his children. He also had a knack with people, making strangers into friends and keeping them laughing all the while. He was really good with kids. Children loved him because he let them play the games they wanted and didn’t mind too much if they changed the rules. He was sentimental and patriotic, flew his flags regularly and loved parades, air shows and military bands. It might also be mentioned that his favorite singer was Nat King Cole. He was an inspirational husband and loved Frances faithfully for over 62 years. He was a superior Dad, always giving good advice to his son and keeping his daughters’ cars clean, well tuned and full of gas. When you left the house, he waved until you were out of sight. He was a hard worker, loved to have fun and was always up for adventure. So many of us were lucky to get to go along for the ride. As far as people go, he was exceptionally cool. But all that he probably would have wanted known, was that he loved his Lord, loved his wife, loved his family and loved his neighbor. He is loved in return and will be missed more than words can say. He is survived by his loving wife, Frances; son, Frank Koller and wife, Barbara; four daughters, Andrea Koller Johnson and husband, Jim, Deborah Koller Collins, Barbara Koller Fleeger and husband, John and Fran Koller Norkiewicz and husband, Greg; ten grandchildren and five great grandchildren. Memorials may be made to Texas Senior Ministry Meals on Wheels.