Robert (Bob) Earl Knippa, Sr., age 79, of Robstown, Texas passed away December 24, 2011. He was born October 13, 1932 in Gonzales, Texas to Earl and Marie Knippa. Bob grew up in the Gonzales TX area and, as a Marine volunteer, served in the Korean War. After serving in the military he became a barber instructor and for many years ran the Gulf Coast Barber College on Ayers St. in Corpus Christi. He also opened his own barber college, C & B Barber College, on Morgan Ave in Corpus Christi. Bob retired from the Orange Grove School District in May of 2000 and owned multiple private businesses throughout the years involving mobile home moving, restaurant and barbeque sales. Outside of work and into retirement, Bob enjoyed ranching and for many years owned a large variety of various livestock. Bob loved children and greatly enjoyed spending time with his children, grandchildren, great grandchild and visiting with his friends and neighbors near his home off of FM 624 near Robstown TX where he lived for the past 32 years. He was preceded in death by his parents and is survived by his wife of 56 years, Charlotte Knippa of Robstown, Texas; daughter, Tamela (Van) Fielding of Corpus Christi, Texas; sons; Robert (Stacy) Knippa, Jr. of Corpus Christi, Texas, Raymond (Sheryl) Knippa of Lewisville, Texas; brother, John (Monta) Knippa of Aransas Pass, Texas, grandchildren, Amy Fielding, Carly Fielding, Kelsey Knippa, Breann Knippa, John (Leah) Van Meter; great grandchild, Rowdy D. Van Meter. Sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Jan and Bob McIntosh; brother-in-law, James W. Collins, Jr. all of Houston, Texas. Visitation will be on Tuesday, December 27, 2011 from 4:00 to 8:00 P.M. at Sawyer-George Funeral Home. Graveside funeral services will be conducted on Wednesday, December 28, 2011 at 1:00 P.M. at the Harwood Cemetery in Harwood, Texas.