Robert Harold “Bobby” “Nepper” Brickley, 53, of Lumberton, died Wednesday, July 25, 2012. He was born on September 18, 1958, in Beaumont, to Ruth Law Brickley and Harold Leo Brickley, and had been a resident of the area most of his life. Robert was a field service engineer with Olympus America.
Survivors include his wife, Liz Brickley; daughter, Reid Brickley of Montgomery; mother of his daughter, Juli Brickley of Montgomery; mother, Ruth Law Brickley; step-children, Tonya Arguello, Eddie Arguello, and Melissa McMann; sisters, Bonnie Blackman and her husband, Bob, of China; Mary Clare Brickley of Beaumont; and Martha “Bootsie” Baker and her husband, Melvin, of Lumberton; brother, Eric Brickley and his wife, Helen, of Silsbee; sister, Bridget Canady and her husband, Gordon, of Slidell, Louisiana; nieces and nephews, Heather, Chris, Shannon, Lee, Jessica, Sara, Keaton, Jude, Carsyn, Merrick, Heaven, and Aidan; and step-nieces, Tabatha, Princess “Ellie”, and Terrianna; and eight grandchildren.
Bobby was a jokester! No one who knew him would even attempt to deny that fact. Always ready with a quick verbal retort or physical display meant only for the amusement of whomever was around. Despite being the third child, he found great satisfaction playing the role of the ‘big brother’. Simultaneously being the protector and defender of his siblings while deriving great pleasure in his ability to perpetrate devilish episodes of youthful torture on his younger sisters. His beautiful blond curly hair as a child only made it easier for his older sisters to dress him as a little girl and get away with the act, more than once. There is no proof but we can pretty much take it as fact that he was in some way responsible for at least some degree of the trouble of which his little brother stood accused.
His easy personality coupled with his intellect in his chosen life’s work made him the go-to man for his family and highly regarded with everyone with whom he worked or helped. He could always be counted on, no matter the need. This also includes rescuing his startled sister and sister in law from an invading snake when in truth he was just as reluctant to go near it as they.
Although not really someone who preferred being out of doors, he played and enjoyed high school sports, hunting, soccer and golf. And being who he was, kept many fond memories and friends from them all. He seemed to have more lifelong friends than the average man.
Bobby graduated from Lumberton High School in 1977. He followed immediately with a two year degree from LIT in electronics. He worked for Helena Lab for 9 years till 1988, Lumberton Tower till 1991, St. Elizabeth Hospital till 1998, when he moved to Iowa and worked at the University of Iowa until 2002 and came to his current employer of Olympus where he worked for 10 years until the time of his death.
Robert, Bobby, Nepper, Umpy Bobby, Booger…..no matter how we called you, we all will miss you desperately.
“Until the next float” Love
A gathering of Mr. Brickley’s family and friends will be from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m., Sunday, July 29, 2012, at Broussard’s, 1605 North Major Drive, Beaumont. His funeral service will be 3:00 p.m., Monday, July 30, 2012, at Broussard’s, with his committal to follow at Broussard’s Crematorium. A reception following Monday’s service will be held at Infant Jesus Catholic Church in Lumberton, Texas. The family extends an invitation to all who would like to attend.
