Obituary of Robert Rounsaville

Robert Teague Rounsaville, M.D. was born July 1, 1928 in Shreveport, Louisiana to Luther Ferdinand and Leola (Teague) Rounsaville. He passed from this life Thursday, November 27, 2008 at his home in The Woodlands, TX at the age of 80. A retired orthopedic surgeon, he practiced in Tulsa until his retirement in 1988. Dr. Rounsaville was preceded in death by his parents, a twin brother, Harry Luther Rounsaville and his beloved daughter and only child, Cindy Renee' Rounsaville. He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Betty Kathryn (Cheshier) Rounsaville of The Woodlands, TX; a niece, Martha Ann Rounsaville McCain of Clute, TX and a nephew Ronald Keith Rounsaville of Midland, TX. The family will receive friends 6-8:00 p.m. Thursday at Ninde Brookside Funeral Home. A funeral service will be held 2:00 p.m. Friday, December 5, 2008 at Ninde Brookside Chapel with the Rev. Wishard F. Lemons, Jr. officiating and interment will follow in Memorial Park Cemetery. Ninde Brookside Funeral Home 742-5556 www.ninde.com Reflection by Kevin Copeland I need to tell you I am the luckiest guy here today. I've had the honor to call two men Dad and be with both of them when they passed away. I've had the honor to call two women Mom. Sandy Copeland who is an amazing woman. She taught me unconditional love and understanding. She has shoulders as strong as Charles Atlas and has used them to comfort me and my other brothers and sister on many, many occasions. My second Mom, Betty Rounsaville also taught me about unconditional love and compassion. She never left Dad's side and always carried herself with Grace. I have two (2) sons, Chris and Brett who are Pall Bearers here today. I have two new sisters that I've met through Bob and Betty, Andrea and Dianna Who have been there to support Mom and Dad through these tough times and I am so thankful for them. As you have seen, great things come in two's and it must end there. I only have one girlfriend Holly ...I don't think she would approve of two girlfriends. I am so thankful to Holly for giving up her Thanksgiving Holiday to make the last trip with me to Houston and be there to support and comfort me and Mom during Dad's last hours. Enough of the mushy stuff, as Paul Harvey would say, and now, the rest of the story. A couple of weeks ago I made a trip to see Mom and Dad. I arrived late Friday evening and spend a little time with them before heading back to the Woodlands to my "home away from home". I received a frantic call from Mom early Saturday morning because Dad was in trouble. He had stopped breathing and coded. When I arrived, Mom was with a minister and Dad was on life support. It didn't look good. But in the tradition of Dad, he once again proved everyone wrong. The next day, the life support had been removed Dad was sitting in a chair, talking and smiling. At one point he asked Mom to get him some ice. You all may not know, but Dad was on a feeding tube and hadn't had anything by mouth in almost 2 months. When Mom arrived with the Ice, she got a spoonful and told Dad to open wide. No, Momma....that's not for me....give it to Kevin. He said Kevin, they have the greatest Ice here!!!! So I ate the ice, getting down close to his ear and began chopping on it so he could hear me eating it. After I had several spoonfuls of this incredible Ice, I agreed with Dad and told him it was the best Ice I ever had. Dad said, Kevin...wouldn't it be amazing to have some cherry syrup with it? Dad always wanted to make sure his guests were taken care of and he was able to do it with the only thing available to him, Ice chips. How many of you ever attended one of Bob and Betty's numerous parties they held at their home here in Tulsa? I never attended one, however I've heard the stories. But I'll tell you they would pale in comparison to the party we had with Dad. It was a week ago Wednesday that me and Holly started our trip to Houston where Dad was being brought home under the direction of hospice. We arrived in the Woodlands at 5:00, Mom and Dad was 10 minutes behind us. We got Dad all settled in and comfortable. It was after midnight that I asked Dad if he was in any pain. He said no. We then asked if he'd like to listen to some music and his face was filled with Joy! We play classical and big band music for the longest time. Although we was unable to move, he was dancing in his mind. Glen Millers "In the Mood" must have been one of his favorites. He was having a great time! I think it really tuckered him out from all the dancing he was doing. Then in the wee hours of Thanksgiving morning, it was time for our Thanksgiving feast, you guess it, Ice chips and Cherry Syrup! Dad peacefully passed away a few hours later surrounded by loved ones. I'd like to leave you with this question ....when was the last time you shared your Ice Chips and with someone you loved?