Robert Stuart Koelsch

Robert Stuart Koelsch, age 58, died unexpectedly September 17, 2018 in Austin, Texas. He was born March 8, 1960 in Houston, the son of Philip Carleton Koelsch and Francita Stuart Koelsch.

He attended River Oaks Elementary School and then The Kinkaid School, where he graduated in 1978. For the first two years of college he was a student at The University of Virginia and a member of Phi Delta Theta. He received his B.A. degree from The University of Texas at Austin in 1982. Following graduation he worked in the Texas legislature for the Lieutenant Governor before moving to Washington, DC to serve on the staff of Senator Lloyd Bentsen. Upon marriage he returned to Houston where he received his law degree with honors from South Texas College of Law and served as an editor on the Law Review. After working for the Harris County District Attorney’s office he practiced law first in Houston and then in Austin. For the past ten years while working in Austin, Robert lived at Lago Vista on Lake Travis where St. Peter’s Episcopal Church meant very much to him.

He is survived by his two sons, Philip Julian Koelsch and Halbert Stuart Koelsch, sister Frances Koelsch and her husband, John Jeffries, her son Rex Bowen, mother Francita Stuart Koelsch Ulmer and her husband James G. Ulmer, his two daughters Ann Ulmer Stout, wife of Dr. John Timothy Stout, and Elizabeth Ulmer, wife of Jonathan P. Graham. Robert was preceded in death by his father Rear Admiral Philip Carleton Koelsch, grandparents, Robert Cummins Stuart and Frances Wells Stuart, Henry Augustus Koelsch, Jr. and Beulah Anne Hubbard Koelsch.

Robert’s family has resided in Texas since 1824 when his ancestor Ezekiel Thomas received a land grant from the Mexican government before Texas became a Republic and later a State. Ezekiel Thomas was a member of the original Stephen F. Austin colony. Robert’s memberships include Houston Country Club, The Houston Club, San Jacinto Descendants, San Jacinto Chapter of the Sons of the Republic of Texas, and the Paul Carrington Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution. Robert was beloved by his family and friends who thought so highly of him.

 In lieu of flowers, those so desiring may send contributions to the Robert C. Stuart Lenten Lectures at Christ Church Cathedral, 1117 Texas Avenue, Houston, Texas 77002 or to Camp Allen, 18800 FM 362 Navasota, Texas 77868.