Robert "Rob" Austin Semple

Robert Austin Semple, a long-time resident of Woodway, Texas passed away peacefully on Thursday, September 22, 2022 after a long battle with ALS. He was born on November 30, 1955 to the late Austin and Elinor Semple in Los Angeles, California. Rob is survived by his loving wife of 43 years, Debra Semple; daughter and son-in-law, Jen and Lucas Folegatti; 3 granddaughters, Lara, Mari, and Nina; father and mother-in-law Dale and Glenda Ezell; sisters Charlene Cook and husband Terry, and Gale Duke; brother and sister-in-law, Mike and Kim Ezell; and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.

A Memorial Service celebrating Rob’s life will be held at First Baptist Woodway (101 Richie Road, Waco, TX) on Thursday, September 29, 2022 at 1:30 p.m. followed by a reception in the fellowship hall.

In lieu of flowers please consider giving in Rob’s memory to God’s Toolbox (a ministry of FBC Woodway – firstwoodway.org/give) where he faithfully served those in need for many years, or to the Gleason Foundation (teamgleason.org/donate) whose mission is to improve quality of life of individuals diagnosed with ALS.

Rob grew up mostly in Dallas, TX, graduating from W.T. White High School in 1974.  Through his high school years, he was very involved in the youth program at Park Forest Baptist Church where he met his future wife Deb and many lifelong friends. Rob and Deb were married August 4, 1979, after 7 years of dating. Rob then graduated from Baylor in 1980, and they chose to stay in Waco, quickly choosing First Baptist Woodway as their church home (where they remain faithful members 43 years later). Soon after, they welcomed their daughter Jen into the world who later married Lucas Folegatti.  Jen and Lucas have three beautiful daughters who Rob would say were his “pride and joy.” He was an extraordinary husband, father, and grandfather, keeping everyone constantly entertained with his ridiculous stories, love of games, need for adventure, and jokester attitude. He was a loyal, trustworthy, and fun-loving friend, a fact proven by the endless love, help and support received from his many friends throughout his long battle with ALS. Deb also expresses her gratitude for the wonderful care, compassion, and love from Bluebonnet Hospice Services.

Rob had various jobs throughout the years, including youth ministry, burger flipping, guitar lessons, network administrator, to finally landing a very successful career, retiring after 20 years with National Lloyds on the exact same day as Deb. Rob’s natural ability to fix anything, love for woodworking, and his early retirement allowed him the opportunity to head-up God’s Toolbox, a ministry of FBC Woodway that primarily made wheelchair ramps for those in need. Rob loved adventures of all kinds, and he and Deb got to spend 12 years of retirement traveling throughout the US and Canada to see God’s beauty while visiting family along the way, and cruising with friends on numerous adventures through the Caribbean and even to Alaska and Hawaii!

He will be dearly missed by family, friends, colleagues, and neighbors, but we rejoice that he is now Home in his Savior’s loving arms, in his eternal resurrected body.