Dr. Robert Austin Rugeley, Sr. passed peacefully at his home on September 29, 2026 in Austin, TX at the age of 99. He was born on September 27, 1927 in Wichita Falls, TX to Sam and Kate Rugeley and was the eldest of 3 children. He graduated from Wichita Falls High School in 1945 and immediately enlisted in the United States Navy earning the rank of Ensign. World War II ended shortly afterward and he was Honorably Discharged from the Navy. He then attended Harden College (now Midwestern State University) in Wichita Falls, University of Colorado in Boulder, and University of Texas at Austin (Beta Theta Phi fraternity) receiving a BS degree in Biology. Next he attended The University of Texas Dental Branch in Houston where he received his Doctor of Dental Surgery degree in 1952. This was followed by attending and completing a fellowship and residency in oral and maxillofacial surgery at Mayo Clinic and Mayo Foundation in Rochester, MN in 1955 and his Master of Science degree from the University of Minnesota Graduate School of Medicine in 1956. While in Rochester he married Loma Elaine McMurrey of Westhoff, TX on May 2nd, 1953. In ’54 he and Loma were blessed with twins and then rejoined the Armed Forces (USAF) in ’56. After earning the rank of Captain with the 2nd US Air Force they had their 3rd child and were then stationed at Barksdale Air Force base in Bossier City, LA. There he served as the staff oral and maxillofacial surgeon for 2 years after which he received an Honorable Discharge from active duty. The entire family then returned to Wichita Falls where he and Loma established a private oral and maxillofacial practice in 1959 serving that community for 42 years and raising their 4 children. In 2001, after retiring, he and Loma traveled throughout the US and abroad including visiting their 4 children, 9 grandchildren, and 4 great-grandchildren throughout Texas. In 2004 the two moved to Sun City of Georgetown, TX to be closer to their family.

Robert was known for his love of his family and spending time with that family and friends. He enjoyed the challenge of education, finance, fishing, playing golf, watching sports (lifetime Longhorn), traveling, and tinkering in his shop and yard. There wasn’t an appliance that couldn’t be revived or a car that couldn’t be tweaked. But mostly he enjoyed doing those things while spending time with his family. There were many weekends that he could be found under the mulberry tree with the car hood up or back in the shop rebuilding a lawnmower or leaf blower that a neighbor had discarded. Even as a child he loved to build, creating an oversized go-cart for 2 with his father. He was also known for his keen sense of direction and geography. There wasn’t a location in the USA that he hadn’t heard of or had been to and he would always have a story to go with it. He was dedicated to the dental profession by serving as President of the 13th District Dental Society, Chairman of the Scientific Session of the American Dental Association, Chairman of the Fluoridation Committee for Wichita Falls (successfully implementing supplemental fluoridation of the city’s water supply that benefited the entire area), Chief of Dental Services of Wichita General and Bethania hospitals. He also served his community as President of the Medical Staff of Wichita General Hospital, member of the Executive Committee of Wichita General and Bethania hospitals, member of the Surgical Review Committee of Bethania Hospital, Chairman of the Credentials Committee of Wichita General Hospital, a founding member of the Pre-Medical Committee at Midwestern State University, and a guest lecturer on oral pathology to the Dental Hygiene school at Midwestern State University. He and Loma were passionate about education and established a scholarship at Midwestern State University in general studies. They were also passionate about Fain Presbyterian Church of Wichita Falls where they were long standing members and developed and nurtured life long friendships.

Robert is survived by his children Debby Rugeley Harpool and husband Bob, Rebecca Rugeley, Robert “Rob” Rugeley, Jr and wife Cheryl, and John Rugeley and wife Pam, 9 grandchildren, 4 great-grandchildren, and many nieces, nephews, and cousins. He is preceded in death by his wife Loma, his father Sam, his mother Kate, his sisters Kay Dillard and Carol Dockery, and granddaughter Jessica Garrott.

A special thank you goes out to all of the caregivers who honored our mother and father over the last 5 years with love, care, dignity, and fellowship: Mimy, Mozell, Louisette, Elleni, Sheryl, and many others. Their ongoing and countless hours of devotion undoubtably lead to a joy filled and peaceful transition to their eternal home. Great appreciation also goes to Hospice Austin for their hours of honoring care and compassion.

Memorials honoring Dr. Rugeley may be made to Hospice Wichita Falls or Hospice Austin. Family members are appreciative of the kind expressions and memories of Dr. Rugeley.