Robert Neal Flatt

Robert Neal Flatt, age 77, passed away peacefully on April 29, 2025 at Brazos Towers at Bayou Manor in Houston, Texas. Born in Wichita Falls, TX on June 10th, 1947, to Bobbie Louise Mansell and Roland Neal Flatt, Robert was deeply loved and never met a stranger.

Always a stellar student, Robert graduated from Wichita Falls High School and earned bachelor's and master's degrees in electrical engineering with Cum Laude and Phi Beta Kappa honors from Rice University. After a brief stint at General Dynamics in Pomona, CA, Robert earned his MBA at Harvard Business School as a Baker Scholar.

Robert is survived by the great love of his life, Nancy Carol Bernhardt Flatt. Robert and Nancy were best friends who met early in high school and went off to Rice together. Married for almost 57 years, they shared all of life's adventures as a team. Robert adored Nancy and was known for dramatic romantic gestures from flowers and jewelry to the inevitable corny poem.

Robert worked at Cameron Iron Works for 31 years, where he rose from marketing to managing oil tool equipment factories including Leeds, England and Sealy, TX before directing the Total Quality Mgmt. program and retiring as VP. He cultivated many deep friendships with colleagues across Europe and loved hosting gatherings – including famous 4th of July parties with fireworks in West Yorkshire!

Robert helped establish the Jones School of Business at Rice and then taught production and operations management as an adjunct professor there for 33 years. Robert was deeply involved with the Rice community, serving as president of the Alumni Association and as a Community Associate of Wiess College in addition to being a devoted Owl's athletic supporter.

At the age of 50, Robert was diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease. Forced into early retirement by his increasing motor challenges, he enthusiastically filled the gift of unexpected time. He and Nancy explored the natural world including multiple African safaris, boat adventures up the Amazon, and cruises to Galapagos and Antarctica. Robert enrolled in photography classes at the Glasscock School at Rice and passionately embarked on a new career as a photographer and author. The community and audience he dove into gave him purpose and genuine pleasure. He loved nothing more than to share his photos with anyone and everyone. Robert published three books of his wisdom and photography, two of which won multiple awards. His photographs were displayed in multiple juried exhibits and several self-portraits are in the permanent collection at the MFAH.

Robert charmed and inspired us all with his "glass half full", "life is good", "don't let anything ruin your day" outlook and perseverance in the face of every obstacle he encountered.

In addition to his wife Nancy, Robert is survived by his son Greg Flatt and wife Sherry Bennett and their sons Ridge and Fenton Flatt; his daughter Jamie Flatt and husband Joey Zamora and their kids Seattle and Darwin Hickey and Magnolia Hickey-Zamora; his sisters Diana Simmons and Monti Haynie and their families; and an extended Flatt/Mansell family.

A celebration of Robert's colorful life will be held at 3pm on Friday June 27 at Anderson Clarke Center at Rice University. In lieu of customary remembrances, donations are welcomed by the family to the Rice Fund at Rice University; giving.rice.edu and/or the Coastal Prairie Conservancy; coastalprairieconservancy.org/donate.