Robert (Bob) K. Westerlage of La Marque, Texas, died March 17, 2025, in Abilene, Texas. Bob, the second of four children, was born September 13, 1935, in La Marque to Charles H. Westerlage, Jr., and Juanita Ray Westerlage. A gentle soul, bright, creative, generous and quietly funny, he had a keen eye for taking pictures and was well respected for his photographs that covered a wide range from beach scenes to historical architecture and from photojournalism to insightful portraits. Growing up in La Marque, Bob was a 1953 graduate of La Marque High School and the University of North Texas in Denton. He also proudly served his country in the U.S. Army. Bob always loved being out in "nature" in the countryside. He enjoyed tinkering with things and could fix whatever was broken. Always creative, he made objects of art from barn wood, old computer components, or trees around his home. A man of many talents, it was photography that was with him throughout his life. He worked as a photographer for the Galveston Daily News and was quickly promoted to Chief Photographer. While at the News, he won several Associated Press awards for his pictures. He then was employed at the University of Texas Medical Branch, first as a photographer in the Medical Illustrations Department and later in the Public Information Office. Winning awards for his photography throughout his time at UTMB, he thrived on the diversity of his assignments. While working for the UTMB Public Information Office, Bob was instrumental in the development and production of the Medical Branch's magazine, University Medical. This endeavor permitted him to use the creative side of his photography talents as his pictures continued to appear on the covers of the magazine and throughout the award-winning publication. Although no longer employed at a newspaper, he managed to keep his "membership" in the Galveston County Press Club by creating an Auxiliary Membership. In his spare time, he co-authored a book of black and white photographs taken around the island city. Titled, "Galveston Is The Mood You Are In," the soft-backed publication received positive reviews and was the coffee table piece that locals just had to have. He was later hired to photographically document the hanging of beautiful tapestries in the lobby of the American National Insurance Company Tower when the building opened. This subsequently led to a job in Paris, France as a photographer for Shiela Hicks, a weaving and sculptural textile artist. After life in France, he returned to Galveston and UTMB. After his retirement, Bob enjoyed driving around the La Marque area, especially the Texas City Dike, with his best friend, Paul Larson, while talking about everything. He would also use his riding lawnmower to drive across the property to have coffee with his oldest brother, Charles. He stayed in contact with many friends via Facebook. Bob was predeceased by his parents and older brother Charles H. Westerlage, III. He is survived by his wife Carol, sister Nita Caskey, brother Ray Westerlage and his wife Judy, sister-in-law Charlotte Westerlage, grand-daughter Nicole Black, as well as nieces, Cindy Eddy and Catherine Kane, and nephews, Keith Westerlage and Kenneth Westerlage and his wife, Sally, as well as several great- and great-great nieces and nephews. Funeral arrangements have been made through North's Funeral Home in Abilene, Texas.