Robert L. “Bob” Colura, of Palacios, Texas, passed away peacefully on March 11, 2026, at Houston Hospice Inpatient Care Center after a brief and courageous battle with recently diagnosed cancer. He was 82.

Bob was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend. He lived a life marked by quiet strength, scientific curiosity, devotion to family, faith, service, and a deep connection to the natural world.

He was born on December 8, 1943, in Houston, Texas, to Lee Colura and Vera Cordell Colura. The oldest son in his family, with his brother Kenneth “Ken” Colura, Bob carried forward a heritage of Sicilian and Scots-Irish roots — reflected in his independence, determination, family traditions, and love of the outdoors.

Bob graduated from Texas A&M University in 1966 with a degree in Zoology. During his time at A&M, he met Michele Hoke, an eighteen-year-old from Conroe, Texas, who was attending Sam Houston. They were introduced on a blind date to an Aggie football game by Michele’s cousin, Dan Hoke, who was Bob’s roommate. That first date led to another, and eventually to a marriage and life together that spanned 58 years.

In 1967, Bob began his career with Texas Parks and Wildlife as an Area Biologist and made his way to Palacios. On September 8th 1967, just before Hurricane Beulah came ashore in Texas, he married Michele and brought her to Palacios — the coastal town that would become their home, the place where they would raise their family, build a life together, and become part of the history of the City by the Sea.

Bob devoted his professional life to Texas marine fisheries. In Palacios, at the marine fisheries station later known as the Perry R. Bass Marine Fisheries Research Station, he became part of pioneering research that helped shape the future of Texas coastal fisheries. His work contributed to the development of spawning and rearing techniques for redfish and speckled trout, including the ability to spawn brood fish outside their natural season by controlling temperature and lighting. That work helped support Texas Parks and Wildlife’s stocking programs and preserve a coastal tradition treasured by generations of fishermen and families.

By 1993, Bob had become Director of the Science Program at Perry R. Bass, responsible for life history and genetics programs. Over the course of his career, he authored or co-authored twenty-one scientific research papers and technical publications, leaving behind a written record of the careful science that helped shape Texas marine fisheries.

Outside of his professional work, Bob remained closely tied to the outdoors. He hunted and fished with his father, his brother Ken, colleagues, and friends, and he enjoyed archery, fly fishing, tying flies, and practicing turkey and duck calls. He also loved to capture the beauty of the natural world through photography, preserving images of the same world he spent his life studying, protecting, and enjoying.

Bob showed love through action. He helped, fixed, built, researched, taught, and provided. As a father, he was present and involved, supporting his daughters, Meredith and Kyndell, in their interests and teaching them responsibility, discipline, and follow-through. Through 4-H and the Matagorda County Fair, he helped guide their broiler projects with the same seriousness and attention he brought to his professional work.

He was a devoted grandfather who shared his love of the outdoors through hunting, fishing, boat rides on the bay, and quiet lessons learned by doing. He never forced that love on anyone; the interest had to be real. But when it was, he taught with patience, skill, and respect.

Family traditions were important to Bob. He carried memories of Sundays at his Grandma Anna Colura’s home in the Heights, where she made gravy for pasta in the Italian and Sicilian tradition. He loved to cook, especially eggplant Parmesan and venison scallopini. His garden, his cooking, and the meals he shared reflected the family traditions he carried forward.

Faith was also part of Bob’s life, though it was never something he wore on the surface. His family history held more than one tradition: his Grandma Colura taught him Catholic Church history, scripture, and law, while his mother, Vera, who came from a Baptist background, taught him Bible verses. Bob’s faith was rooted in design — in the beauty, complexity, and order of creation. Along with Michele, he was a longtime member and supporter of First United Methodist Church in Palacios, where his daughters were baptized and where they brought their first three grandchildren to know God.

Bob was preceded in death by his parents, Lee Colura and Vera Cordell Colura.

He is survived by his wife, Michele Hoke Colura; his daughters, Meredith Colura and Kyndell Tucker; his grandchildren, Brendan Morales, Trace Cary, Rebekah Cary, Aiden Tucker, Blaize Tucker, and Jace Tucker; his brother, Kenneth “Ken” Colura; his nephew, Benjamin “Ben” Colura; and many beloved extended family members and friends.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Friday, June 5, 2026, at 1:00 p.m. at First United Methodist Church, 209 Lucas Ave., Palacios, Texas 77465. A reception with light bites and a photo display will follow at the Palacios Pavilion, 693 South Bay Blvd., Palacios, Texas 77465. A small private family burial will take place separately at Hawley Cemetery before the service.

In lieu of flowers, the family invites those who wish to honor Bob’s memory to plant a tree or make a memorial donation to First United Methodist Church of Palacios.

Bob’s legacy lives in his work, in the family he loved, in the traditions he carried forward, and in the quiet example he set.