Robert Philip Musgrove
Robert Philip Musgrove, passed away on Sunday, May 4, 2025 at his home in League City, Texas at the age of 62. He was born on February 14, 1963 in Detroit, Michigan to Robert and Ellen Musgrove.
Bob thoroughly enjoyed life, he loved his family, and he was passionate about helping people see and reach their potential. He recognized beauty and inspired joy everywhere he went. His positive outlook will forever sing on in the hearts of those that were lucky enough to cross paths with him.
In 2021, Bob retired after 32 years of service and leadership at NASA. He was a manager in the education office: building teams, hiring interns, and strategically planning new initiatives often crafted from his own creative solutions to hard problems. He mentored, encouraged, and congratulated his colleagues regularly, even after retirement. He also contributed greatly to the overall community by participating in the intramural softball team, the chili cook-off, and many other events and groups throughout his time there.
His many interests and hobbies included live music, landscaping, nurturing plumeria flowers, tending to fish tanks, Oktoberfest, classic mustangs, classic rock, grilling, boating, good beer, and watching sunsets. Because of his love of trop rock music, Bob joined the local Parrot Head Club of Galveston Bay with his wife, where they enjoyed friendship, travel, and partying with a purpose. Panama City Beach became their paradise; a happy place they visited together multiple times a year.
Bob will be remembered by his family as a loving companion, proud and supportive father, dedicated son, dear brother, inspiring uncle, caring dog dad, jubilant grandfather, and fun-loving ray of light.
He is preceded in death by his father, Robert Earl Musgrove, and his mother-in-law, Vivian Lisbet-Yvonne Shemberger.
He is survived by his beloved wife of 39 years, Deborah Musgrove, his daughters, Lindsay Barrera; spouse Brandon Barrera, and Lauren Musgrove; spouse William MacGavin, his mother Ellen Musgrove, his sister Heidi Roth, and his grandchildren Elijah and Liam Barrera.
Bob’s Family will receive friends on Saturday, May 10, 2025 at 9:00am with a Celebration of Life Ceremony at 10:00am at Crowder Funeral Home (Webster Location), 111 East Medical Center Blvd., Webster, Texas 77598. Dress in your tropical best.
Bob always treated my family and I with kindness and respect. The handful of times that our families spent with each other were always fun and memorable. He always had a big smile on his face and his positive energy was infectious. I give my sincerest condolences to Debbie and the girls. He will be missed.
Bob was a good man and a wonderful friend. He will be greatly missed in the Parrot Head world. He had the best smile and heartwarming laugh. He loved having a good time with friends, and he definitely loved his family! I’m grateful for the fun memories made with him & Debbie. Sail on, Bob, we will see you in Paradise.
So sorry for your loss. Will keep you all in our prayers. Sad we cannot attend the funeral, we will be in Pennsylvania for Mother’s Day. Sail on Bob…
I am so sorry to see this. You are both a joy to be around and I am proud to be your friend. I will miss our many Plumeria talks and Parrot Head trips and adventures. Much love to you and your family.
Whenever I thought of Bob, I always saw him in my mind with his huge grin, which he was rarely without. I will always have fond memories of Bob and will miss our annual ribbing of one another about the Nebraska vs Iowa football game and our Slammer golf outings. Debbie, please accept my family’s condolences for you and yours.
Bob was a great person and wonderful friend. My prayers are with the whole family and this loss. I will miss seeing him while we listen to our favorite musicians and will never forget the fun we had enjoying the pool.
Bob was a good friend and mentor. He was always available for advice and guidance and he never once met a stranger. His smile and laughter were infectious and made the day brighter.
Debbie, Lindsay, Lauren- although words lose meaning in a time like this, I believe that the mark of a life well lived is found in the hearts of those you’ve made an impact upon. Bob will always have a place close to my heart and I’m grateful for the time we shared. I’m so sorry for your loss.
I also firmly believe we will all see him again one day to share an Oktoberfest over some trop rock! Until then I will remember him and smile.
Bob was a great friend and colleague that inspired all around him. He left a lasting legacy at NASA, in the community and with his wonderful family. His smiling face will be missed, but remembered always. See you soon Bob!
Bob was truly one of a kind. My first meeting with and Debbie instantly best friends He is responsible in kind for Shari and my marriage as he became here NASA/Houston family. He and Debbie share in Shari and I bond as they helped her through her job in at NASA in Houston and mine at NASA in California. No words can describe our heart felt love for him and Musgrove family. Our deepest sympathies and prayers for all who he shared his life with.
As the other Robert Musgrove at JSC, Bob and I got to initially know each other through a series of humorous identity mix-ups in the workplace. Later I had very pleasant interactions with him in his Human Resources capacities, especially in his function as the Co-op Student Coordinator. I’m very sorry to hear of his passing and my condolences to the family.
Bob was a great mentor, colleague and friend. My heart goes out to the family during this time. He was a great inspiration to me. May God bless you all and bring you closer together.
“Ooooh Bob” (hearing Debbie and my mom’s voice saying that)…. man. Little did he knew how much I looked up to him, the crawfish boils, corn hole and floatin in their pool with a band playing. Realizing my middle school crush (LOL) was his future son in law brother, small world. Since the day I met him and his family, ya’ll were instantly family. He might have been my mom’s “boss” at some point but he was like a brother to her and somebody my brother and I looked up to. There was always laughter and smiles being all together and that is one thing I’ll change for Bob and for myself to give more laughter, smiles and care in this world.
Debbie, Lindsay, Lauren – I was doing my best to say but Frank said it best for me. All I have is please Know how much love, care and prayers are supporting you guys through this time. We are all here for each one of you to reach out to. Much love and hugs, my family
Bob, may you rest in peace and smile down on your family with that infectious smile and positive attitude you always had. Thank you for always being so kind and respectful towards our little family.
Prayers for Deb & the girls during this difficult time.
Bob was a great colleague at NASA, always willing to go the extra mile, and able to administer programs in a collegial manner. His leadership in NASA education leaves behind a cast of thousands who benefited from his caring leadership style. His influence over thousands of interns and students will always be remembered by those students and his colleagues across all of NASA’s Centers. His NASA colleagues across NASA’s 10 Centers will always have a smile when they think of him as a colleague, friend, teacher, and family-oriented role model. Our prayers are with his family.
Nothing but love for Bob then, now, and forever. He was brilliant and even better had a way of taking things lightly and encouraging laughter no matter the situation.
It takes a special person to leave an essence we can all feel long after his retirement – from NASA and now the human adventure.
He made an impact on many lives in his time on Earth and I trust he’s making a magical impact at the Margaritaville that resides just over the horizon.
Big love to Debbie and the girls as you find peace with “what is.” The process will hurt like hell but look for his essence and you’ll find he’s still taking care of you – just in magically different ways now.
I did not know Bob well, but that is not to say he did not make an impression on me and my career at NASA. I was first hired in 2016 by a contractor to work in the Education Office at NASA after being a teacher for almost 10 years. Bob took it upon himself to meet individually with each new hire. I was nervous, coming from the teaching world you were only asked to meet with leadership when something was not right.
Bob came into the meeting room sat down and smiled. He spent the meeting not laying out his vision of Education and how we play a role in inspiring the next generation of engineers and scientist, but wanting to know who I was and to get to know me as a person. That short meeting made me realize I was in the right place and inspired me to pay it forward with each new member of OSTEM, and now I make it a priority to meet new people in the office and getting to know them as a person. I will always be thankful for that lesson.
I send my warmest of thoughts to the family and know Bob will be missed by even those he spent a 20 minutes with. Bob was a gift to this world, thank you for sharing him with us.
Bob hired me and made my dreams of working at NASA come true. In his professional capacity he personally shaped JSC and enabled a generation of human exploration of space. I will forever be grateful to him.
I have fond memories of recruiting at Penn State with Bob and our travels from Penn State to Houston during 9/11. I also enjoyed working with Bob throughout my career. I am sorry for your loss and my prayers for your family.
I worked for Bob (and Anne Roemer) in 2004 as a co-op in HR & Education, and have nothing but the warmest memories of his kindness and leadership as my boss. We organized the Aerospace career fair for students at Space Center Houston as part of the mission to “inspire the next generation of explorers.” His infectious smile warmed the hearts of even the grumpiest HR staff nearing retirement, he was truly beloved by all. His early passing saddens me and I send my condolences to his family and work family.
Debbie, I always knew by the way you talked about Bob that he was amazing, the love of your life, and your soulmate. My heart and prayers go out to you and the girls. So sorry for your loss.
Bob was one of the first people I met when I transferred into JSC from KSC, and years later he asked me to join his leadership team in the Office of Education at JSC. I will always be thankful to Bob for his support and those opportunities. I will remember him with that never ending smile.
May God comfort you all in your time of loss.
Bob was had a fun, friendly, and caring spirit. He could always be counted on for a smile and a funny comment. We are devasted that he left us so early and unexpectedly. Our prayers and thoughts are with Debbie and the family through this rough time. We love you all and pray God gives a measure of comfort and peace.
Always game for a good team building activity or friendly office competition. Greatest memories are from the Kemah Maze, Bowling tournament, and the EROlympics. Rest in Peace Bob.
Bob was such a fun and energetic person. Always with a smile, a positive comment when you needed one, and just full of life. He was our Tigger. His love for life was infectious. Just thinking about that makes me smile. I feel privileged to have known him and I will always cherish those good times.
Debbie, you, the girls, and all your family are in my prayers.
Bob’s approach to work and life showed me new ways to see the delight in the everyday. He taught me how to support our people, and push for what we need for our teams. Who could say no to a funding request paired with his vision, energy and a smile like that?
I’m grateful for his support from the beginning as a co-op, to working with him among the leadership team of JSC External Relations, and will remember him always. My heart is with Debbie and your family in this unbelievable moment.
Bob helped hire me so I am forever grateful to him. He was always personable and welcoming and if you had an issue, he really worked with you to help you figure it out. I am praying for you all because of his loss and I hope his kids and his grandkids can live life with that same twinkle in their eye that Bob lived with no matter the day you saw him.
I have been doing Bob’s hair forever I am so saddened by his passing..He was truly a amazing man and always so happy …Prayers for you all ❤️
I have known Bob for over 30 years he truly was a good man. He always brightened up the room with his smile. My deepest condolences
Sorry for your loss. I worked at JSC and of course knew and worked with Bob.
Not directly just while in a training position for a year in another office.
It was uncomfortable to be questioned about what I did vs. the education office.
My roll was justified as an extension of the Education office, simply in another directorate. Bob was very gracious. I was very appreciative. Nice man!
As a kid some of my favorite memories are of being at the Slammers softball games with my dad. I don’t remember every detail, but one of the things that sticks with me to this day is how Bob was always smiling, always laughing, and always happy. Fast forward to just a few years ago and I got to play in the Slammer Scramble and see Bob again. Still, always smiling, always laughing, and always happy. I was taller than him this time though…
Debbie, I don’t remember much about those years when I first met y’all, but I am very grateful for the memories I do have. My condolences to you and your family.
Having been a friend/colleague/teammate of Bob’s for over 30 years, this is truly sad news to hear. Like many others have recalled, Bob’s perennial smile and joyous outlook were infectious. The old Tequila Slammers gang got together a couple times each year for a golf outing, Bob was always there; we’d give each other a hard time, and definitely laughed a lot, telling the same old stories we’d told many times before. My prayers go out to Debbie and family.
Having known Bob for over 40 years, met in the dorm at UNL, eventually roommates, and whom I considered one of my best friend for life, this is so sad beyond words. We shared many fun times over the years; college, (he talked me into the weightlifting club which was fun), snow ski trips, parties, golf, football games, music, PCB trip and so much more. Bob was the definition of Live, and Live to the fullest! Debbie, my heart hurts for you as I know you two were true soulmates. I know he was a wonderful father to the girls. Gail and I love you all and our deepest sympathies to you Debbie, Lauren, Lindsey, Heidi, and Ellen, and to the extended Musgrove family. I will miss him greatly.
Bob and I knew each other for over 30 years at NASA-JSC. We first met while working in the Human Resources Office, and as our careers took us in different directions, we continued to cross paths, maintaining a friendship over all those years. He was such a character with a joyful personality– he challenged me at times with his alternative ideas and stood his ground– we respected each other– and he always had that infectious smile that would win you over! I am so very sorry for your loss…Bob was a good man who truly brought light, joy, and smiles to this world. He certainly made a positive impact in the NASA community through all of the authentic relationships he built with each person he encountered. He will be missed…and he leaves a legacy of truly helping others achieve their potential. I am proud to have known and worked with him…Thoughts and prayers are with you….
Dear Debbie and children,
as we are so far away from you, the death of your husband, your father, touches us deeply.
It is always the traces of Bobbie’s life, thoughts, and moments that make me, us, happy and sad, and that will never let us forget Bobbie.
Friedel and Nina
Kent and Christine
(May 11, 2025 – Erlensee, Germany)
Bob was an amazing supporter of Penn State Gymnastics where I performed with my best friend and his daughter, Lindsay. Always with a smile on his face, enjoying every moment. You could truly tell what an amazing father he was and I know his family was so beyond lucky to have him. He will be missed and I am praying and thinking about the whole Musgrove and Barrera family <3