Robert Bruce Piland

Robert Bruce Piland was born October 6, 1960, in Bartlesville, OK to Vollie Mathis Piland & Mary Lou (Osborne) Piland and passed from this life on August 9, 2023, in the comfort of his own home after a yearlong battle with cancer.

Bob is preceded in death by his parents and his sisters, Cindy Ezell, Sheralee Swinson, and Debbie Collins.  He is survived by his wife of 40 years, Denise (Walden) Piland; his son and his partner, Jacob Piland & Courtney Schwamb; his daughter and son-in-law, Malorie & Chandler Pearson; and his granddaughter, Ruby Lou Pearson.

Following his father’s footsteps with the love for music he started playing the trombone at age 11. He was a member of the Young Tulsans, Bugle Corps, Edison Marching Band, Screaming Eagles Stage & Jazz Band (Class of 1978) and he continued with the OSU Jazz Band.  He received his Professional Engineering degree and started with W G Martin Consultants where he mentored under his lifelong friend, Glenn Martin.  He began his own company, Piland Design Group in 1985 and has been the President of Piland Engineering Inc. for the past 18 years. 

Bob’s parents instilled their heart for service and involved the entire family in the Miss Oklahoma Organization. He started in 1974 delivering flowers to the contestants and for 45 years he mentored, judged, sponsored, worked production, and served as a member of the Executive Board. He loved helping young women grow and reach their educational goals.

Bob was a faithful member of the Downtown Tulsa Kiwanis Club for more than 33 years. He was involved in every aspect of ‘serving the children of the world’. He served as President and on the executive Board for many years and he received the George F Hixon Award for his significant contribution to the club's history of generosity.  He was instrumental in organizing the “Chili on    the Green” Cookoff as a fundraiser for the club and he personally enjoyed the chili trail and competitions through CASI and ICS chili organizations for the past 10 years. His most coveted award came from winning 1st Place in the Tolbert International Cook-off held in Terligua, Texas for his incredible Fat Travis Chili Verde recipe.

Golf was fun, most of the time. While he knew you could not be a good golfer unless you played regularly, he always enjoyed the friendships, competition and of course the beer.  He was passionate about food and cooking and loved sharing his creations with family and friends.  He was an amazing bowler and could have made a career with his talent, but instead became a respected engineer whose designs are apparent from coast to coast. 

Bob had many accomplishments and received many awards over the years, but his most important and self-proclaimed best achievements are his two remarkable children! He could not be a more proud father and he loved being G-Daddy to Ruby!

Bob fought this battle with the dignity and the grace that we all came to expect from him.  He was an incredible husband, a fabulous father, the perfect grandfather and inspiration to all of us who loved him and learned so much from him.  He was so thankful for his family and the many friends he collected along the journey.

He will be remembered for his love of family and friends, his kind and generous heart, his sense of adventure, his integrity and most importantly his quick wit and his ability to keep everyone laughing, especially himself.  He will live forever in the hearts of those who loved him. 

A memorial service will be held 2:00 p.m. Thursday, August 17, 2023, at First Methodist Church, 1115 S. Boulder Ave.  The service may be viewed live at fumctulsa.online.church   

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to the Special Olympics or to the charity of your choice.