Robert Louis Hebb

Robert Louis Hebb, 76, of Tyler, passed away on June 15 at his home. Born on February 21, 1950, in Winfield, Kansas, Bob grew up in the close knit community of Howard, Kansas. After graduating from Howard High School in 1968, he joined the United States Air Force, beginning a distinguished 26 year career that would take him around the world. Bob retired with the rank of Senior Master Sergeant, a testament to his leadership, dedication, and unwavering commitment to service. During his Air Force career, Bob proudly served in a wide range of locations, including Florida, Nevada, California, Utah, South Korea, Vietnam, Okinawa, and Spain. He carried with him a deep sense of duty and pride in the work he did and the people he served alongside. After retiring from the military, Bob returned to civilian life with the same work ethic and steady presence he was known for. He worked for Hebb Industries (Nautilus) in several manufacturing management roles, and later for Simpson’s Fitness and Adventure Sports as a salesperson and bike mechanic — a job that combined his technical skill with his love of helping others. He retired fully in 2015. Bob had a wide range of hobbies throughout his life. While living in Nevada, Utah, and later in Tyler, he was an avid fisherman who found peace on the water. In the late 1990s, he took up long distance running and completed several marathons. But in 2001, Bob discovered his true passion: cycling. Over the next 22 years, he became a beloved and respected figure in the Tyler cycling community — a teacher, coach, bike mechanic, encourager, and, as many would say, an absolute beast of a rider. Although he didn’t compete often, Bob placed third in the state of Texas in the 2015 state road race and completed numerous Hotter’N Hell Hundred events, along with many other road and mountain bike races. He loved riding in groups and was known for pulling countless new riders up the hills around Tyler, pushing them, supporting them, and helping them believe they could do more than they thought possible. His presence on the road — steady, strong, and generous — will be deeply missed. Bob was married to his sweet wife, Kay, for 41 years until her untimely passing in 2013. He is survived by his daughter, Ayuli, and his son, Louis, as well as his sister, Angela, and brothers Joe and Bill. The family would like to express their heartfelt gratitude to the many caregivers and friends Bob was blessed with following his accident in 2023. Their kindness, support, and companionship meant more than words can express. Bob’s legacy will live on in the lives he touched, and he will be deeply missed by all who knew him. Memorial services are scheduled for Saturday, June 27, at 2:00 p.m. at Stewart Family Funeral Home in Tyler, with visitation beginning at 1:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to Kourage Health of Tyler (http://Kouragehealth.org). Say not in grief ‘he is no more’, but in thankfulness that he was.

Robert Louis Hebb

February 21, 1950 - June 15, 2026