July 13, 1947 – May 5, 2025

Robert “Bob” Clarence Mangle passed away on May 5, 2025, in Webster, Texas, following a valiant battle against cancer.  He was born on July 13, 1947, in Millerstown, Juniata County, Pennsylvania, to John Warren Mangle and Bertha Pauline Mangle (Klase).  He fought the good fight until the very end. 

Bob grew up in the beautiful mountainous Juniata County in central Pennsylvania.  He enjoyed hunting in the Tuscarora Mountains, fishing, and cooking.  Bob voluntarily enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps during the Vietnam War, when he was eighteen years old.  He wanted to join the “tough ones” because he wanted to serve among the very best.  He completed basic training at Parris Island, South Carolina and completed his infantry training at Camp Lejeune in North Carolina and then went onto Camp Pendleton in California for (WESTPAC) artillery training.  He earned multiple honors during his service, including the Rifle Marksmanship – Sharpshooter Badge, Pistol Marksmanship – Marksman Badge, the National Defense Service Medal, and two Good Conduct Medals.  Bob was honorably discharged in 1969 as a Staff Sergeant from the U.S. Marine Corps after serving as a Military Police Officer in the Canal Zone of Panamá. He began his military service in the Canal Zone in January of 1967.

In March of 1967, Bob met Aida Villalobos, and they married three months later.  Their loving marriage of nearly 58 years was blessed with two daughters, Christine L. Mangle-Smith (Kenneth S. Smith) and Lucía L. Mattox (Darmaine R. Mattox).  Bob continued his career in law enforcement as a Canal Zone Policeman and later joined U.S. Customs in 1978.  Bob was assigned to Del Rio, Texas, where he worked as a Customs Inspector.  The family then moved to Friendswood, Texas in 1983 where Bob began working as a Customs Patrol Officer.  He eventually became a Special Agent and retired as a Senior Special Agent from the Internal Affairs division of U.S. Customs in 2000.  During his years as a Special Agent Bob worked undercover, traveled abroad, and was involved in several significant Customs operations.  These operations resulted in the capture and conviction of illicit drug dealers and the dismantling of their operations.   His work (along with other agents assigned to several drug task forces) garnered millions of dollars’ worth of illicit narcotics and cash.  He received numerous awards from U.S. Customs.

Bob was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather (Papa).  He taught his girls how to ride a bicycle, fish, drive a car, change a tire, tried teaching Christine how to cook (luckily Lucía learned how), and that integrity and honor always matter.  He was always there to listen when his girls needed him.  Because Bob wanted to share the family and scenery that shaped him with his girls, the family traveled to Pennsylvania numerous times from Panamá and Texas.

He cherished time with his grandchildren, the “Three Amigos” – Robert H. Arnold (Rebecca C. Arnold), Ayden C. Smith, and Ava C. Arnold.  Bob retired from serving his country and became the best Papa the Three Amigos could have ever had.  Bob cooked great meals for them every day, took naps with his babies, watched Monsters, Inc. a million times, celebrated their accomplishments, showered them with unconditional love, and chauffeured them around until they each learned to drive on their own and got their own set of wheels.  He was there for every practice, game, recital, performance, birthday celebration, and graduation of his grandchildren.

Bob was the family chef, and his love language was food.  His family will miss his delicious feasts, and they will do their very best to carry on the tradition of gathering for meals as a family.

He was preceded in death by his parents and siblings: John W. Mangle, Bonnie Lou Faltine (Don Faltine) and Shirley J. Spade.   He is survived by his loving niece, Kelly L. Wimer and nephews Matthew J. Spade, John T. Mangle, and William G. Mangle of Pennsylvania.  He is also survived by his brother-in-law, Randall Spade and his sister-in-law, Theo Nye Mangle.

The family would like to thank Bob’s brother-in-law, Alex Villalobos, for the way he tenderly cared for Bob and the support he provided his sister, Aida. 

Bob’s sister-in-law, Araceli Villalobos was also a great source of comfort and support for both her sister, Aida and Bob.

May his memory bring comfort to those who knew and loved him.  A funeral service honoring Bob’s life will be held on May 17, 2025, at 11:00 A.M. with a visitation beginning at 10:00 A.M. prior to the service at Jeter Memorial Funeral Home 311 North Friendswood Drive, Friendswood, Texas (281) 992-7200.