It is with great sadness that we share that Robert “Bob” Royall, founder and president emeritus of BEB-Business Extension Bureau, passed away at age 87 on Thursday, November 26, 2015.

“The entire BEB family is deeply saddened by the loss of a pioneer in direct mail marketing,” said Ron Royall, his son and CEO. “Dad’s vision and passion for his business and staff were unwavering over the 66 years Business Extension Bureau has been operating. His legacy will live on, even as we mourn.”
Bob was hired by San Francisco-based BEB in 1952 to run the sales department in Houston. He was 23 years old and fresh out of business school at the University of North Texas. In 1959, he bought the business with partner James Tardy.
As majority stockholder, Bob served as chief executive officer of Business Extension Bureau, and most recently, its president emeritus.
As the company continued to grow and evolve, two of Bob’s three sons, Ron Royall and Ro Royall, assumed leadership roles in the organization.   Ron is now president and CEO and Ro serves as executive vice president.
Bob was also one of the founders of MASA-SW (the leading industry trade association known as Epicomm-SW today), serving on the board of directors and as president in 1972.
Bob was also active with the Printing Industries of the Gulf Coast, the Houston Rotary Club and many other industry and community outreach organizations. He also received the prestigious Helsley Award for Lifetime Achievement within the direct marketing industry in 2001.
Always passionate about his love for the industry, we often referred to BEB as Bob’s fourth son. Bob continued to come to the office every day after assuming the role of president emeritus in 2004 and remained actively involved in the expansion of products and services.
Bob’s legacy will shine on and contribute to the continued growth of Business Extension Bureau in the future. The entire organization mourns the loss of this great leader and wonderful human being.

Bob is survived by his wife of 57 years, Ann; sons Rob, Ron, and Ro; daughter-in-law Sharon Royall and four grandchildren.

Visitation is from Noon-2:00pm to be followed by burial on Sunday, December 6, 2015 at  George Lewis Funeral Home located at 1010 Bering Drive, Houston, TX 77057.

A memorial service will be held at 11:00am on Monday, December 7, 2015 at Berachah Church 2815 Sage Rd, Houston, TX 77056.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to R.B. Thieme, Jr. Bible Ministries and/or the American Heart Association.