Robert Jacob Pedrett

Bob was born November 4, 1936, in Kimball, Nebraska, to Ulrich and Alice Pedrett. Growing up at the end of the Great Depression and through WWII, he learned the value of hard work, perseverance, and getting the most out of every opportunity.

He joined the US Marine Corps at 17 after graduating high school, serving 3 years. While in the Marines, he was stationed in Japan with the 12th Marines and fought in Korea. Being a Marine was a highlight of his life, affording him the opportunity to fulfill his duty to country, to travel and experience the World for the first time, and allowing him to make many lifelong friends. Bob stayed in touch with many of the Marines he served with well into their respective retirement years.

After leaving the Marines, Bob returned home to Kimball and began working the oil fields of the Nebraska panhandle and eastern Wyoming. He attended Chadron State College in Chadron, NE, where he studied business. While at CSC, he was a member of the school’s undefeated football team in 1958, an accomplishment of which he was very proud.

In 1962 he joined the Rowan Drilling Company working as a deck hand in the field from Alaska to West Texas. Then, after moving to the office in Fort Worth, later Houston, he would be sent overseas to represent Rowan in Norway, Scotland, and then England where he headed up Rowan Drilling UK, LTD as Managing Director. In total he would stay with the company for 40 years, 16 of them overseas. He often spoke of how much he enjoyed his work; the challenge of negotiating a deal and striking a bargain that benefited everyone and grew Rowan.

Retiring to his home in Sugar Land, TX, Bob enjoyed golfing, hunting, traveling, and spending time with friends and family. He was preceded in death by his parents, Ulrich and Alice, his brothers Albert Pedrett and William Pedrett, his sister Mary (Pedrett) Soper, and his infant daughter Katrina Pedrett. Bob is survived by his wife, Kay Pedrett, his son, Jacob Pedrett, his sister-in-law Ann MacDonald, his cousin Terry Pedrett, and many beloved nieces and nephews.

A funeral mass will be held on Monday, September 28, 2026 at 10:00 am, at St. Laurence Catholic Church located at 3100 Sweetwater Blvd, Sugar Land, TX 77479.