Robert Tubb

Robert Donald Tubb of The Woodlands TX, known by his friends as Don, passed away peacefully on July 8, 2022 surrounded by his family. Born in Sheffield, Alabama to James and Nellie Jo, Don attended Sheffield High School and then received a BS in Civil Engineering from Auburn University. He was a member of Theta Chi Fraternity through which he met the love of his life and wife of 57 years, Kay.

Shortly after graduation, Don was recruited by Chicago Bridge & Iron and embarked on a highly successful  47-year career in the commercial engineering and construction industry. Don was immensely proud of his work with NASA at Cape Kennedy, which included construction and project management of a liquid oxygen tank that served the Apollo program. Until his retirement, pictures of the liquid oxygen tank adorned the walls of his office.  His assignments took him to Cape Canaveral, Chicago, New York ,  Moscow, China, Canada, Dubai, London, Africa, Australia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Venezuela and many other cities and countries. His most beloved assignment, however, was that in which he established and managed CB&I’s first operating company in Tokyo, Japan for engineering and procurement construction services throughout the Asia Pacific Region. Prior to his assignment, Don meticulously studied the Japanese business culture and etiquette. He was known for his notable negotiation skills and was affectionately known as “Tubbsan” in the Tokyo office. During his time in Tokyo, he served on the Board of Directors for the Tokyo American Club, as well as The American School in Japan.

After retiring from CB&I as VP of and Area Director of Marketing North America in 1998, Don began his second leg of his career as Executive Director of Business Development with Fluor Corporation. Don directed sales, operations and technical teams in developing strategies, proposals, as well as negotiating contracts for oil, gas, chemical and petrochemical mining companies. Don was the recipient of Fluor Chairman’s Award for Outstanding Account Management. Throughout his career, Don took great pride in mentoring younger engineers and team members. He had an innate ability to read and connect with others.

As much as Don loved his career, his top priority and real joy was always his family. He was a loving husband to Kay, and devoted father to his children, Mark and Kathryn. He loved helping with science projects, pinewood derby car races, attending sporting events and was always up for an impromptu H-O-R-S-E game. Don had a great sense of humor and was an exceptional storyteller. Don loved golfing, bird hunting, entertaining and everything Auburn. He was a great teacher of life, master creator of bedtime stories, and an efficient solver of problems and was adored by those who knew him.

Don is preceded in death by his parents and his loving wife of 57 years, Kay. He Is survived by his son, Mark (Monica) Tubb of Montgomery, AL; daughter, Kathryn (Anthony) Noah; granddaughter, Blakely Noah of Anniston, AL; sister, Peggy Leggett of Muscle Shoals, AL; brother-in-law, Bo (Ginger) Strickland of Waco, TX; sister-in-law, Shirley (Larry) Friday of Tuscaloosa, AL; brother-in-law, Joe Rigsby of Georgiana, AL; nephews and nieces, Brian (Christina) Leggett, Michael Leggett, Alison (JW) Bottoms, Matthew (Lindsey) Strickland, Dawson Friday, Davis (Courtney) Friday and Adam Friday and his loyal feline companion, Nox.

We would like to express our deepest gratitude to Amedisys Hospice, specifically, Cauleen Greene, Becky Taylor, David Jones, as well as caregiver, Sharlene Knox. Don’s family and friends are forever changed by his time here on Earth and well as by his passing. Visitation will be held at Lawrence Brown-Service Funeral Home from 10:00-10:45 a.m. on Saturday, July 16, 2022. Graveside services will follow at 11:00 a.m. at New Live Oak Cemetery with Rev. Dr. Brad Henderson officiating.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations are made to the MPN (Myeloproliferative Neoplasm) Research Foundation; 180 N. Michigan Avenue, Suite 1870. Chicago, IL 60601.