Posted on Aug 10, 2026 in
COVER STORY
“I tried to leave every organization I worked with better off. If you can do that, I think that’s a success”
– Former Fort Bend County Judge Robert “Bob” Ellington Hebert
Former Fort Bend County Judge Robert “Bob” Ellington Hebert
Husband, father, community servant, leader, statesman. All describe the man who was the longest sitting county judge serving 16 consecutive years in Fort Bend: Robert Ellington Hebert, known to so many as “Bob” or simply “Judge.”
Born on November 18, 1941 in San Bernadino, California, Judge Hebert left us after a brief illness on August 6, 2026 at the age of 84. Raised in the Texas Panhandle, his career of service began after graduating from Pampa High School in 1959 when he enlisted in the United States Navy where he trained and served as an Aviation Electronics Technician. After beginning his Navy career stationed in Memphis, the Navy transferred him to the University of Texas at Austin to attend college, a move that forever changed his life.
On a blind date attending a University of Texas football game, Judge Hebert met the love of his life: Pat Pickler. Two weeks later, the pair were engaged and only six months later, the couple moved to Hawaii honoring Judge Hebert’s additional 20-month commitment to the Navy. As an Aircrewman with the Airbourne Early Warning Barrier Squadron, Pacific, Judge Hebert flew over 2,000 hours over the Pacific Ocean. They married on April 6, 1962 with the Judge fondly stating about his bride, “I knew that Pat was the girl I wanted to marry. I married well above my paygrade.”
Early in their marriage with a baby, Patricia or “Patsey,” her mother’s namesake, in tow and another on the way, Judge Hebert was honorably discharged from the Navy, and the growing family purchased a home moving to Alief. He continued his dedication to community by serving as the president of their neighborhood’s newly formed Homeowners Association. Judge Hebert then helped start the Alief Volunteer Fire Department where he actually drove the fire truck and put out fires for seven years.
Judge Hebert’s career then took him to NASA where he worked on the Apollo launch overseeing Mission Control’s Xerox machine technology. In 1972, the Hebert’s neighborhood experienced water issues and residents went to a trusted source for assistance. To solve his community’s problem, he founded ECO Resources, Inc. using the equity in their home to fund his new venture. Judge Hebert ran ECO Resources, Inc., which managed 125 Municipal Utility Districts, for 13 years retiring at age 44.
By 1985, the Hebert family had moved to Fort Bend, and Judge Hebert assisted small businesses via the Small Business Administration while graduating with a Masters of Business Administration from Pepperdine University. Within five years, Judge Hebert launched another small service company startup: Southwest Water Company.
Judge Hebert continued to focus on community by serving as the Vice Chair of the Greater Fort Bend Economic Development Council, Chairman of the National Council for Public-Private Partnerships in Virginia, co-founded Global Initiatives and served eight years as the Receiver for the City of Arcola to assist with the city’s financial difficulties. He also served as City Manager of Rosenberg.
In 2002, the people of Fort Bend elected Hebert as their County Judge, where he served from 2003 to 2018 weathering crises including Hurricanes Ike and Harvey and overseeing 2,700 employees with a $310+ million budget in one of the fastest growing counties in the nation. He navigated the County through a time of unprecedented growth, and his tenure was marked by strong leadership, economic development initiatives and significant civic engagement. During his terms, the Fort Bend County courthouse, built in 1907, underwent a multi-million restoration maintaining the historical relevancy of the building. The Fort Bend County Justice Center was built, along with several annexes throughout the county, the Sheriff’s Office and the Epicenter, a multi-purpose 230,000 arena and event space.
After serving the community as County Judge, he served a vital role for Fort Bend Seniors acting as their CEO ensuring the future of the Meals on Wheels program for Fort Bend senior citizens. Judge Hebert also served as a Trustee and County Chairman for the Fort Bend Business Coalition.
Judge Hebert valued education highly. He earned an Associate Degree from South Texas Junior College (U of H Downtown), a Master of Business Administration from Pepperdine University and a PhD in Management from California Coast University. He also completed the Advanced Management Program at the University of Texas Graduate School of Business in Austin.
Throughout his life, Judge Hebert was the ultimate steward of his community supporting multiple community organizations. His own words sum up his commitment to community the best. “I understand that there is a broad level of need. We have a duty to give back, and I am pleased to do it. I am convinced that the satisfaction I get out of giving pays dividends that can’t be measured in dollars and cents.”
Robert “Bob” Hebert is survived by his wife of 63 years, Pat Pickler Hebert; three daughters and their husbands, Patricia “Patsey” and Ray McKnight, Shelley and Bud Hannes and Cindy and Ernie Layman; five grandsons and their wives Robert and Brittany McKnight, Nicholas and Hannah Hannes, Kenneth and Kelsey Hannes, Stephen and Niki Layman and Travis and Whitney Layman; and six great grandchildren Kayson McKnight, Oliver Hannes, Killian Hannes, Wyatt Layman, Brooks Layman and Mira Layman. Judge Hebert is also survived by his sister, Jeanette Lynn Hebert, and brother, Kenneth Hebert.
A memorial service will be held on Wednesday, August 12, 2026 at 1:30 pm at the Fort Bend Epicenter, located at 28505 Southwest Freeway, Rosenberg, Texas 77471. The public is invited to attend.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks for donations to Fort Bend Seniors, www.FortBendSeniors.org or the T. W. Davis Family YMCA Capital Campaign, www.ymcahouston.org/twdavis-capital.
