Obit – Bob Rheudasil

Bobbye Gene Rheudasil went to his Glory the morning of September 19, 2011.  Rheudasil passed at home in Flower Mound, surrounded by loving family and friends. He was 80 years old.

Bob Rheudasil had recently celebrated the 50th Anniversary of the incorporation of Flower Mound, where he served as first Mayor in three consecutive three-year terms beginning in 1961.  He had several miraculous recoveries from strokes, aneurisms, and other health issues beginning in 1984.  He was called to heaven after having a content and happy summer with family and friends in Flower Mound.

Rheudasil was born near Paris, Texas in the town of Sylvan on December 2, 1930 to Charles and Irene Gibson Rheudasil.  He grew up on a farm with two brothers and a sister – Bill (Skip) Rheudasil, Jerry Rheudasil, and June Rheudasil Vest. 

Edward Marcus brought Rheudasil to Flower Mound in 1953 and Rheudasil eventually ran the Denton County affairs of Mr. Marcus.  Rheudasil’s duties for the Marcus family included managing their world renowned Black Angus cattle ranch called Black Mark Farms, and later, an impressive tree farming business that was headquartered in Flower Mound.  Many of the trees in and around Flower Mound came from this Flower Mound tree farm and many were planted by Rheudasil.  Rheudasil was renowned in the region as one of the foremost experts on trees.

As one of the Founding Fathers and the first Mayor, Rheudasil started a town with essentially nothing but a lawsuit against Irving, who was attempting to annex Flower Mound land in what became the Denton County Land Wars.  Flower Mound prevailed in this lawsuit and Flower Mound was born with Rheudasil being elected Mayor in 1961 by a mere 51 votes. 

Rheudasil served as Mayor and his wife, Pat, served as Town Secretary.  Rheudasil spent a lot of time on his Mayoral duties including negotiating for utilities, begging for right-of-way and trying to get infrastructure for the town.  Doc Wilkerson helped Rheudasil tremendously with these efforts and they made a great team, achieving a lot for the town with very limited resources.

Rheudasil always said that Pat worked harder than anyone associated with Flower Mound.  Pat was the first Town Secretary, received no pay, and little credit for her hard work.  Her job included taking minutes at council meetings, keeping the books, sending out all correspondence, running the water department, and much more.

Bob and Pat Rheudasil were often the first people new residents met when they came to Flower Mound.  Bob always said, “I welcome you to Flower Mound as long as you welcome the next ones to come”.  Rheudasil loved people and was a true gentleman cowboy.  He had a talent for making people feel good about life and always had a smile and a story.

Rheudasil had a massive stroke and aneurism in 1984 that partially paralyzed his right side.  He was not expected to live, much less walk and talk again.  He made a miraculous recovery and was a blessing to many after his stroke.  For many years, he would walk the halls of Lewisville Hospital daily to encourage stroke victims and patients in pain.  He carried an oak cane that Walt Garrison ornately carved “Bob Rheudasil” on.  Meeting Rheudasil was a memorable experience with his cowboy hat, red suspenders, limp, oak cane, and warming smile.

Rheudasil had many hobbies prior to his stroke including woodworking, bee-keeping, gardening, and raising his prized Bluebonnets.  After his stroke in 1984, but enjoyed being involved with the CCA Food Pantry, watching football, and most of all, drinking coffee at the Lewisville Feed Mill.

Bob Rheudasil was married to Pat McWhorter Rheudasil until she died of cancer in February of 2000.  Rheudasil was married to Naomi Kirkpatrick Wilson Rheudasil for four years, until his death. 

Rheudasil’s children are Cindy Cade, married to Randy; Penny Glover, married to Mark; and John (Booker) Rheudasil. Grandchildren include Whitney Ortmeier, Nicholas (Nick) Glover, Beau Glover, Amy Rheudasil, Ty Rheudasil, Bonnie Gravely, Randi Rivera, Alison Strickland. He has six great-grand children.  Rheudasil is also survived by sister-in-laws Myrna Rheudasil, Dora McWhorter, and Bunny McWhorter with husband Joe.  Rheudasil’s brother, Jerry Rheudasil (DVM), preceded him in death.  Many close and loving family members and friends will also miss Bob.

Visitation will be held Wednesday, September 21, at Mulkey Mason Funeral Home at 740 S. Edmonds in Lewisville from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.  Funeral Services are Thursday, June 22, at Trietsch Methodist Church at 6101 Morriss Road in Flower Mound at 11 a.m. The casket will be open at Trietsch at 10 a.m. prior to the funeral for those that are unable to make the visitation.

John Mollet will preside of Rheudasil’s farewell.  Pallbearers are Cotton Davidson, Jerry Millican, JackTiller, Arlen Lindsey, Billy Jack Newland, Ron Frehling, Mike Simpson, Nick Glover, and Beau Glover.

The family asks for donations to Rheudasil ’s selected charities in lieu of flowers.  Rheudasil selected Camp Sweeney in Gainesville to establish a scholarship for diabetic children from Flower Mound and the American Heart Association.  Donations to Camp Sweeney can be mailed to Camp Sweeney, P.O. Box 918, Gainesville, TX 76241.  Donations to the American Heart Association can be mailed to P.O. Box 841125, Dallas, TX 75284.