On April 18th, 2023, tax day, famed C.P.A. and tax attorney, Robert D. Forrester, beat the deadline and filed away. Although he had many medical complications, he ultimately died of a broken heart from his wife Carol having passed away in February.
Robert was born in Amarillo, Texas on April 9th, 1940, the son of Mack and Arla Renner Forrester. His father was a truck dealer and rancher. His mother was a homemaker and succeeded her husband on his death as President of Forrester Truck Co.
Robert attended Wolflin Elementary, Stephen F. Austin Junior High, and Amarillo High School Class of 1958. He then attended and graduated from Amarillo College with an A.S. in Accounting and The University of Texas at Austin with a B.B.A. with Highest Honors in 1962. While attending Texas, he was a member and President of Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity. He worked for General Motors in Denmark briefly before attending the University of Texas Law School where he earned his J.D. in 1966. He was admitted to the bar in 1965 and received his C.P.A. in 1966. Upon graduation from law school, he spent a year in Thailand as an on-site controller for construction projects involving the Air Force. He used his time-based in Southeast Asia to tour Laos and Cambodia, including the famed Angkor Wat before it was touched by Pol Pot.
After serving overseas, he transitioned to the Bureau of Attorneys representing the I.R.S. in San Francisco. It was in the Golden Gate city he met the love of his life, fellow Texan, Carol Lee Tate. They were married in 1968 at the First United Methodist Church of Austin. After having Robert Jr. in 1971, they moved back to Amarillo, where Robert joined the law firm of Gibson, Ochsner & Adkins. Over his five decades of practicing, he wrote extensively in the areas of probate, intestacy, and tax law. He retired from Peterson, Farris, Pruitt & Parker where he was Of Counsel.
Heather, Margaret, and Tate completed the family of six. Robert and Carol toured the world with their family and friends, collecting art, antiques, and silver. His love of collecting, especially toys and VW cars, brought him great happiness. The Forresters were avid entertainers; the parties often outlasted him.
He was active in the community, serving on the boards of the Amarillo Area Foundation, Llano Cemetery, Polk Street United Methodist Church, Panhandle Plains Historical Society, St. Andrew’s School, Amarillo Little Theatre, KACV-TV, and the Texas Land Trust Council. He was a first-grade Sunday school teacher/piano player for 25 years at Polk Street United Methodist Church, a tutor at Palo Duro High, and coached elementary basketball for his daughter’s team. He was a Paul Harris Fellow of the Downtown Rotary Club, and the Forresters had the pleasure of hosting exchange students from around the world. He also served as the chair of the Potter County Democratic Party.
He is predeceased by his wife Carol; his parents, Mack and Arla Forrester; and his brothers Carroll Mack, Richard, and Kenneth.
He will be missed by his cherished dogs, Fred and Perla. He is survived by his four children: Robert Forrester, Jr. (Katie) of Lancaster, PA, Heather Russell (Hugh) of Amarillo, Margaret Forrester of Amarillo, and Tate Forrester (Kirk) of Birmingham, AL; nine grandchildren: Gavin O’Donnell, Tres Forrester, Finneghan Forrester, Lauren Russell, Holden Russell, Bess Forrester, Reed Forrester, Mack Forrester, and Sam Forrester; numerous nieces and nephews, as well as many wonderful friends. The family would also like to thank Amber McLemore, Ashley Perreault, Hailah Burkham, Melinda Gamez, and Donald Owens for their loving care of both Carol and Robert. His many doctors provided world-class care, and his family is forever grateful.
Services honoring Robert’s life will be held in the sanctuary of Polk Street United Methodist Church on Saturday, April 29th at 2:00 p.m. A private burial will be held at Llano Cemetery preceding the memorial service. His grandchildren will serve as honorary pallbearers.
In lieu of flowers, the family would be grateful for memorials made to one of the following organizations: Heal the City or the Mack and Arla Forrester Scholarship Fund at Amarillo College.
Sending many hugs and prayers to you today. Your parents were so unique and such a loving couple. While at Polk Street and in the Junior League I loved coming to dinner parties at your house. There was great food, hospitality and interesting conversations. I can still see Carol’s beautiful smile and warm acceptance. I am glad Margaret and my Elizabeth became great friends. Sending prayers of peace and comfort. Terry B. Rogers
hE WASA GREAT ATTORNY FOR MY FATHER IN YEARS PASSED. mAY GOD COMFORT YOU ON YOUR LOSS
To the Robert and Carol Forrester Family:
These 2 had been together for so many years, I do not think either of them would have faired well without the other and now they are once again united. Praying for peace, love and courage for each of you as you go through this time of grief.