ROBERT "BOB" SAMUEL BALCH, 86, left us
on April 3, 2016, with his wife and family members
by his side in Dallas, TX.
Bob was born Aug. 11, 1929, in Ranger, TX to Lela &
Robert Balch. He graduated from Ranger High School in
1947 & moved to Abilene to attend college. At Hardin-
Simmons University he played football and earned a
Business degree. His first job out of college took
him to the Midland-Odessa area where he met & married
Ann Jenkins. Shortly after marrying they moved to
eastern New Mexico, finally calling Tucumcari home
for over 50 years. Bob owned and operated several
businesses, including oil and gasoline marketing &
trucking. He was a member of Center Street United
Methodist Church, Tucumcari, NM and sang in the
choir. His interests included hunting, fishing and
gardening.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Lela and
Robert S. Balch; brother, Willard Balch (RHS-1938);
& sister, Mildred Balch (RHS-1942).
Bob is survived by his wife of 59 years, Ann Balch;
two sons and their spouses, Scott and Lynda Balch of
Dallas, TX, and Jeff and Toni Balch of Lewisville,
TX; a daughter and her husband, Cindy and Dave Boyd
of Palm Harbor, FL; 6 grandchildren; & 3 great-grand-
children.