I also remember the hunting, fishing,and card playing. I once was invited home [from Stanford] for spring break because of a pair of 8’s.
There was no joke too old to tell again.
A memory of Wilmer and Eugenia Hunt from Heather
This is from an iPhone email to me from our beloved cousin Heather Wren Welder. Thank you, Heather.
Sperry
In Aug 1963, after graduating from UT, my Dad [Clark Wren] MADE me go to Houston and get a job. Before my interview with HISD, Georgia [Jeana’s sister], my Mother [Phyllis Wren] & myself had lunch and ran into Wilmer. When told that I was applying for a job & was not very excited about going to work, wonderful Wilmer pulled me aside, said, ” don’t you worry your pretty little head, if this interview doesn’t work out, I will get you a job and you will be just fine”. I went to interview knowing that it didn’t matter, Wilmer would take care of me! I got the job on my own and Wilmer & Eugenia were so proud of me. Your grandfather Philo [Dr. Alfred Philo Howard], died that next week and I had to explain to my principal why I was so sad & needed a sub for the funeral, that very first week of school( I think that was the first time I realized how strange my relationship with all of you really is :):);)! About 3 weeks later, Wilmer called and he & Eugenia took me to dinner at the Forest Club so that they could hear all about my new job! Little wonder that I loved them both dearly !!! Heather
Have Gavel Will Travel – Happy Birthday to Judge Hunt b. 8/25/1903
Saturday nights, from 8:30 – 9:00 between 1957 and 1963, my dad and I were glued to the TV to watch “Have Gun Will Travel.” The show was about a rough but debonaire hired gun named Paladin, who lived in a fancy San Francisco hotel, attended by his anxious Chinese assistant Hay Boy. Each episode began with a visitor or a telegram requesting Paladin’s assistance. Despite some reluctance on his part, he ventured forth onto the unruly backroads of the West, saving the innocent and ushering his adversaries off boots first. A man of few words, Paladin often dispensed nearly as many bullets as words to his usually more garrulous adversaries.
After his retirement from the bench in 1969, Dad set up an office with his friend Hardy Hollers in downtown Austin, and signed up for circuit duty. They came by mail and perhaps … in a telegram. Jeana accompanied him on several of the many cases he tried in various small Texas towns, when the local judge was on vacation or forced to recuse himself, etc. My dad always carried this card with him wherever he ventured forth onto the unruly backroads of the West.
A lovely rememberance of Robin from Susan Green
So many of us at BBVA Compass who know Bill and Robin, remember seeing them walking hand-in-hand every morning near our office in the River Oaks area of Houston. It was evident to all of us how very happy and in love they were. They always brought a smile to our faces.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you, your family, Bill and his family at this time.
Susan Green
A Robin story from Campbell Wren
The one I remember was the summer your [Sperry’s] parents went to Europe and we, my father, Clark, mother, Florence, sister, Heather, me, Campbell and Pittle Luppy, our mongrel dog, moved into your parents home to watch over your sister, Robin and your brother, Grainger while they traveled. That must have been about 1956. Pittle Luppy was called that in honor of Spoonerisms(my father’s favorite word game) and the fact the Little Puppy peed everytime she got excited.
Robin was studying singing at the time and was always practicing singing her scales in her room.
As a joke I would put Pittle Luppy outside Robin’s room and start her howling when Robin started practicing.
It was very irritating for Robin because she did not know I was the one starting the dog howling each time. But she would come out of her room to find the dog sitting there howling away. Being Robin and always so nice; her remark was always, “The little dog just loves my music”.
Robin Hunt and Jean Garwood in Alpine, TX
Robin and her lifelong friend Jean Garwood by the ocotillo at the house in Alpine, Texas my mother Eugenia called her “The Gate to Heaven.” I can’t count the times Robin and I returned to Robin’s house to find a sweet, fresh message from Jean, another measure of Robin’s loyalty and what a good judge of character she was. I was pleased to see Jean at Robin’s service unchanged by time and her devotion to her childhood friend.
Sperry
A message from Maureen in Seattle about Robin
Dear Sperry,
I so enjoyed Robin and her irrepressibly sense of humor, was delighted that herself and had a wonderful few years in which they both wrote and shared poetry.
I have fond memories of our visit in Seattle with Robin, Amy and Bill, and the time awe spent at my home, at that time on Mercer Island and really feel a huge loss at the passing of your lovely sister.
Maureen
A sweet note about Robin from Dorothy Guest
I’m Dorothy, Bill’s sister. The first time that I met Robin was at Bill’s house . She was sitting on the piano stool with my sister Nancy. I thought that she had the most beautiful voice. Each time there after when we had the pleasure of seeing her, WE GOT TO HEAR HER SING. I loved Robin, and also her voice. I will miss her.
In sadness,
Dorothy
A memory from Emory
[A thoughtful recollection from Emory R. Guest written to Robin’s brother Sperry]
I am Uncle Bill’s second son (if he had one). I enjoyed having lunch at their house every Friday for a year or two. Most of the time Robin would be able to join us. I really enjoyed helping her set the table or bring out drinks to the patio table. But most of all, cloth napkins. She wouldn’t settle for anything less even though it was just a sandwich whipped up in the kitchen with spare items, often a fried Reuben sandwich. She had my napkin and napkin ring assigned to me to use each time I came over.
The reason I enjoyed helping her in any way I could is because she made me feel loved, comfortable and welcome from the first moment I met her. She always greeted me with a big smile and kiss which I returned with pleasure. I truly felt like she was my companion as much as Uncle Bill’s during our Friday lunches. If I had to come up with one thing negative to say about her to save my life, I would just start praying for mercy because I would be on my way to meet the Lord. But what was up with that art she hung on the walls? It sure made for some interesting conversations when I brought my two young sons over for family gatherings.
I love your sister and am sad that I didn’t get to have more time to enjoy her. Another reason to look forward to eternity in Heaven I suppose.
With love,
Emory
A memory of Robin from Mary Mize Hellums
One of the most endearing qualities of Robin was her vulnerability and her open spirit.
The memory of those qualities is forever cherished in my memory. One of my favorites occurred as we stood in front of the kitchen sink at the ranch after one of our Thanksgiving feasts. She told me about something that she was struggling with and ask me what I thought she should do. From that time on we were dear friends as well as cousins. There was no guile in Robin!