Obituary of Bob Needham

In Loving Memory of Bob Needham

December 16 1945 – November 30 2023

It is with profound sadness that we announce the peaceful passing of our beloved Robert “Bob” Needham on November 30, 2023. Born on December 16, 1945, in Fort Worth, Texas, Bob brought immense joy to the lives of his family and friends.

Bob Needham is survived by his beloved wife of 50 years, Maura Fahey Needham, children Shane Needham and wife Haydee; Shannon Needham Slaieh and husband Joe; Niall Needham; grandchildren Sean Needham, Gavin Needham and Olivia Slaieh and brothers Chuck Needham and Joe Needham and wife Vicki. He also leaves behind several nieces and nephews who will miss him dearly.  He was preceded in death by his parents C.W. and Thelma Needham.

Graduating from Arlington Heights High School in 1964, his speed and physicality at the linebacker position earned him a football scholarship at Texas Christian University where he graduated in 1970 with a bachelor’s in business administration.

While a Real Estate Broker by trade, Bob was a Renaissance man who possessed a wide breadth of interests and a limitless outlook on what he could accomplish.  He was a prolific inventor who tinkered on multiple projects, including economic building materials for affordable housing in developing countries.  He was an artist who could one day write lyrics for a song and the next day paint lifelike portraits of his grandchildren.  He was a homebuilder who designed and oversaw construction of multiple homes for himself and others.  He was a craftsman who worked with his hands to build cabinets and custom furniture.

Bob was also a romantic who had a deep and unwavering love for his wife Maura.  Their marriage began like a scene from a romance movie, where Bob dramatically paged Maura in a busy airport terminal as she was changing planes while returning to live with her family in Ireland.  Realizing he couldn’t live without her; he was relieved when she answered the page and proposed to her right then and there.  He followed her to Ireland where they were wed on July 21, 1973.  Their love story unfolded like the most enchanting of tales, with each passing year adding new chapters of shared joys and blossoming into a half-century of shared dreams and cherished moments.

Bob and Maura's love also blossomed into a beautiful family, including three cherished children and, later, three treasured grandchildren—all of whom held a special place in Bob's heart. He embraced the roles of dedicated father and grandfather with unparalleled commitment, attending every sports practice and game to provide unwavering support for his family. Bob's enthusiasm and pride knew no bounds, earning him a reputation for his endless, heartfelt boasts about the accomplishments of his loved ones.

In addition to his family, Bob was blessed with an extensive circle of friends, many of whom were lifelong companions, some dating back to their kindergarten days. His warmth, affability, and genuine interest in people meant that, in many ways, he never met a stranger—everyone was a potential friend. One amusing anecdote that captures Bob's friendly nature involves a wrong-number phone call. After engaging in a 30-minute conversation with the caller, Maura, curious, asked about the identity of the person on the other end. Bob casually replied that it was a wrong number but mentioned they were meeting for lunch the next day to continue their conversation, showcasing his ability to turn even a chance encounter into a lasting connection.

Bob's expansive network of friends reflects the impact he had on the lives of those around him. Whether forging lifelong bonds with childhood pals or striking up conversations with strangers, Bob's ability to connect with people left an enduring legacy of friendship. His memory lives on not only in the hearts of his family but also in the laughter, stories, and shared moments he experienced with his extensive circle of friends. As we bid farewell to Bob, let us celebrate not only the family man and romantic but also the friend who enriched the lives of countless others with his warmth and camaraderie.

A private celebration of Bob Needham's life will be held on December 16 in his hometown of Fort Worth. In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations to the Tarrant Area Food Bank.