Dr. Robert Amos Otto Ostman, of Bryan, Texas, passed away at the age of 70 at home with his loved ones by his side.  He was the first born in Victoria, Texas, on January 1, 1946, and made his grand exit at 01:01:46 on Sunday, February 21, 2016.

He was a hard worker from an early age.  He began throwing papers on his bicycle at age 11.  He also held numerous jobs including a pump attendant, hauling hay and Mrs. Baird’s Breads.  After graduating from Victoria High School he attended Victoria College for two years. He was then proud to serve two years in the Army for his country.  After being honorably discharged, he enrolled at Southwest TX State in San Marcos and earned a Bachelor of Science in Psychology in 1972. He continued on to the University of TX Health Science Center at San Antonio where he became a Doctor of Medicine. He began an Internship for one year at Bexar County in Surgery.  He worked for a number of years with Dr. Hof in Victoria TX as a General Surgeon and then proceeded to achieve his Law Degree from South TX College of Law in 1991.  After two years of practicing law, he came back to his calling as an ER Physician and worked the majority of that time at Burleson St. Joseph Health Center in Caldwell TX.  He also served as the EMS Director and Emergency Room Medical Director for a number of years until retiring in 2012.

Throughout his life he had many things he enjoyed.  In Bob’s younger years he was a “Pool Shark” and his friends and brothers attest that few people can say they ever beat him.  He enjoyed golfing, fishing, horseracing, gambling, straight dominoes, the ballet, and watching classic and B-Rated horror films with his family.  He was a Master Prankster and enjoyed making others laugh.  Just hearing his contagious laugh made others laugh.  Amber Thomas, his coworker for many years at Burleson St. Joseph summed it up very well.  “Dr. O was truly a unique person and one of a kind.  He has given us so many good memories; his confidence in us has made us better clinicians; his example of generosity has made us more compassionate; his humor has taught us to lighten up and his strength of character has made us strong.

He is preceded in death by his parents Richard Ostman and Ora Lee Waida Ostman, his older brother Richard “Dick” Ostman and one sister Gerri Berkenfield.

He is survived by two brothers, David Ostman and wife Sandi and Mark Kucera and wife Kathryn, five nephews, Brad Martin, Chris Martin, Daniel Kucera, Steven Kucera, Conner Berkenfield and one niece Haley Berkenfield.

Bob married the love of his life Melissa Surovik Ostman in September 2009 and gained 5 children whom he grew to love as his own for the love, devotion, care and pampering he was given by each of them; Nikki Hickman and husband Curtis, Lauren Sims and husband Shelby, Billy Prescott and wife Tasha, Mandy Wiederhold and Tomasita Heardmon, and Coleman Wiederhold.  He gained 8 grandchildren aka grandbrats, Tre Heardmon, Analissa Rodriguez, Francesca Rodriguez, Layla Rodriguez, Maia Rodriguez, Kent Prescott, Kenna Prescott, Wyatt Sims and special little buddy Ethan Hahne.   He will be missed by “his favorite” mother-in-law, Winifred Surovik and his “Domino Partner” and father-in-law Albert Surovik and many other close family members.

He is also survived by his lifelong friends; Ken Wilson, Dennis Waitschies, Billy Taylor, Rhonda Taylor, Ann Maguire, Scott Chennault and “Boomer” Blackburn.

A sincere thank you to everyone that had a hand in Bob’s care during his illness and the family would also like to express our appreciation to the College Station Medical Center for the excellent care received from August 2014 to March 2015.  The staff treated Bob as their own family during our lengthy stay and we are blessed to have this hospital in our community. Thank you Dr. Scott Chennault, Dr. Jonathon Friedman, Dr. Marcel Lechin, Shelly Erikkson, Barbara Russell, Courtne’ Lopez, Brazos Valley Hospice, the Mayo Clinic and all our family and friends.

A “Celebration of Life” will be held on Sunday, March 6, 2016 at 3:00 pm in the Ballroom at the Pebble Creek Country Club in College Station.  Refreshments will be provided. Services are in the care of Callaway-Jones Funeral Home and Crematory.

The Robert Ostman Scholarship Fund has been set up online at www.gofundme.com/robertostman. Memorials may be made to Hospice Brazos Valley or a charity of your choice.

For more information contact [wpseo_address show_state=”1″ show_country=”1″ show_phone=”1″ show_phone_2=”0″ show_fax=”1″ show_email=”1″]