Robert B. Couch

Dr. Robert (Bob) Barnard Couch, age 93, passed away peacefully at home on August 15, 2024, in Houston, Texas.

Bob was born on September 25, 1930 in Guntersville, Alabama, the youngest of seven children born to Dr. E. H. and Janie Couch. Bob enjoyed family life in rural Alabama, earned the Boy Scouts of America highest rank of Eagle Scout and graduated high school from Marion Military Institute.

After graduating from Vanderbilt University in 1952, he followed his father into the medical field attending Vanderbilt Medical School. He married his sweetheart, Kay, before graduating medical school in 1956. After spending his internship at Vanderbilt in Medicine, he then served two years as a Medical Officer in the Reserve Corps of the United States Public Health Service in Washington D.C. Bob then returned to Vanderbilt to complete his internal medicine training and became Chief Resident of Medicine. In 1961, he returned to the National Institutes of Health in Maryland, advancing to Head of Clinical Virology.

In 1966, Bob and Kay moved to Houston, TX with their four children where Bob spent over 4 decades at Baylor College of Medicine progressing to Professor of Microbiology and Immunology, Director of the Influenza Research Center, and Director of the Center for Infection and Immunity Research. He was designated a Distinguished Service Professor and obtained emeritus status in 2012. His knowledge of infectious diseases resulted in over 300 scientific articles, reviews and manuscripts and led him to assist research projects in countries such as the USSR, Chile, Japan, China and Mexico. Many of his protocols are still in place today for annual flu vaccines and how to prepare vaccines for emerging viruses. The writer for a Marshall County, Alabama special interest book stated that Bob “...probably knows more about colds and flu than your nose knows.”

Bob never turned down an opportunity to increase his knowledge. The Couch Family was known for its adventurous lifestyle exploring historical and natural areas. Every summer found them driving mountain highways through Mexico, traveling by train to Churchill, Manitoba or flying to Guatemala. Weekends involved Boy Scout trips, trips to the beach and exploring Texas. Christmas was usually spent skiing in Colorado or New Mexico where Bob taught the family how to downhill ski by reading a “how-to” book. In later years, especially after Kay was in a wheelchair, Bob and Kay would take grandchildren along on their travels to his international meetings to share their love of learning about new places.

In the 1970s, family friends introduced Bob to the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo. He became a volunteer and served as Chairman of the Medical Committee for three years before becoming a lifetime member.

Shortly after moving to Houston, Bob and Kay purchased property near Dripping Springs, TX where the family could escape to the outdoors. Bob especially enjoyed sitting on the hill and watching the sunsets. In 1979, after Bob completed a sabbatical at UT Medical Branch in Galveston, they purchased the house on Ball Street and were introduced to the ‘Island Life’.

As a teenager, Bob played semi-pro baseball for the Guntersville team. This led to his strong love and support for the Houston Astros. He and Kay held season tickets for many years making the move from the Astrodome to Minute Maid Park. Statistics, data and Astros trivia were on instant recall and he instilled the love of the game in his children and grandchildren.

For years, Bob’s life was filled with professional commitments and family. In 2006, Kay passed away and he embarked on the next chapter of his life. He continued to work on vaccine projects, SARs research and spent time with his children and grandchildren. In 2013, he retired and moved to Galveston and took a position as an Adjunct Professor at UT Medical Branch. He resigned from this position in 2019.

During the dark days of the Covid pandemic in 2020, Bob added a light to his life when he met Sue Sheridan, a neighbor on Ball Street in Galveston and the two became close friends - spending their days walking and chatting. Bob’s life was fulfilled again and he was content. In December 2023, the two moved to Eagles Trace Retirement Community in Houston where Bob was able to reconnect with friends from his past, go on strolls around the lake and watch his Astros.

Bob is survived by his partner, Susan Sheridan; his children: Steve Couch (Christie), Leslie Couch (David Finlay), Colleen Reed (Scott) and Betsy Radtke (Mark); 10 grandchildren: Heather, Stephanie, David (Deborah), Molly (Andrew), Emily, Ian, Austin (Laura), Sean, Amanda, Emily (Ryan) and 4 great-grandchildren: Amethyst, Micah, Burl, Owen.

Bob’s Eagle Scout and education legacy continues. Today, six children and grandchildren have attained the rank of Eagle Scout, four grandchildren earned the Girl Scouts of America Gold Award and there are numerous advanced degrees.

Bob will be interred at a private family ceremony at Glenwood - Washington Cemetery, Houston, Texas.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held on Sunday, November 17, 2024 at 11:00am at Darragh Park, 519 15th St., Galveston, TX 77550.

In lieu of flowers, please enjoy an Astros game with your friends and family in memory of Bob Couch.