Robert W. Cossum Jr ’49

Bob died Nov. 19, 2023, in Houston, Texas, his home state for most of his career as a geologist. His wife, Carol, had died less than five months earlier. He is survived by sons, Bobby, John, and David; five grandchildren; and one great-granddaughter.

Bob was born in Evanston, Ill., Aug. 7, 1927. Like many of us ’49ers, he joined the Navy in 1945, just before his 18th birthday and just before the end of World War II. The Navy delayed his arrival at Princeton for several years, but he remained a ’49er, graduating in 1952. He majored in geology and joined Cloister Inn. His first job was in Houston with Sinclair and then Sohio, which took him to New Orleans for several years. Returning to Houston in 1963, Bob joined Zapata Norness and continued in the petroleum business for his entire career, with extensive travel to South Africa, Venezuela, and the North Sea.

Bob’s home life ranged from the YMCA program now called Adventure Guides (Indian Guides) with his sons, to sports like bowling, tennis, and golf. He proudly supported Carol’s counseling career, and they were active supporters of Christ Church Cathedral in Houston.