News Summary
Austin bids farewell to Robert Terry Mayfield, a beloved community leader and influential figure in local development. Mayfield dedicated his life to enhancing the Austin landscape through his real estate ventures and his commitment to community service. He is remembered fondly for his athletic achievements, love for family and friends, and unwavering faith. A memorial service will honor his legacy and contributions, emphasizing his deep ties to the Austin community.
Austin, Texas – Robert Terry (RT) Mayfield, a cherished community leader and prominent figure in Austin, passed away on May 20, 2025, at the age of 78. His death was attributed to heart failure and a pulmonary embolism.
Born on December 28, 1946, in Houston, Texas, Mayfield grew up in a close-knit family in Austin, where he was the son of Wallace and Bernell Mayfield. He is survived by his wife, Treeta DeZelle Mayfield; daughter Amy Sturgeon and her husband Steve; grandson Gage Carter Sturgeon; and numerous friends. Mayfield was predeceased by his baby son, Robert Carter Mayfield, and both of his sisters, Ginger Mayfield Milam and Cindy Mayfield.
Mayfield’s early life included an active involvement in the Boy Scouts as part of the award-winning Troop 410. A talented athlete, he played quarterback at McCallum High School and graduated in 1965. Though he aspired to secure a college football scholarship, he was initially told he was too small to play at the collegiate level. Determined to prove otherwise, he walked on at Texas Christian University (TCU), where he eventually earned a full football scholarship. His performance in a notable TCU-Georgia Tech game earned him the title of Best Defensive Back, and he became affectionately known as “Mr. 100%” by his coach.
Aside from sports, Mayfield cherished quality time with friends, often recalling treasured trips taken to Port Aransas with his high school companions during the 1960s. His dedication to football training was evident, with one memorable incident seeing him asleep in a truck bed after curfew during a beach trip. An avid hunter, Mayfield enjoyed hunting with friends and family, establishing a favorite tradition over the past 20 years with the “Birthday Boys” quail and dove hunt, shared with those who also celebrate birthdays in the same week.
Professionally, Mayfield built a successful career as a home builder, general contractor, and real estate developer through RT Mayfield Companies. His contributions have significantly shaped the Austin landscape, with major projects including Creekside Square, Crossroads, Balcones Woods, Rockport Village, Davenport Village, Cat Mountain Villas, The Courtyard, Westover Hills, Twin Mesa, Austin Woods, and the Lakewood subdivision. In addition, he developed shopping centers on Mesa Drive and the University Park Village center.
Throughout his career, Mayfield demonstrated a strong commitment to the Austin community. He played a pivotal role in constructing the Travis County Expo Center and originated the Mutton Bustin’ event at Rodeo Austin, also participating in team roping. In his leisure time, he was known to enjoy playing golf at the Barton Creek Community and was a daily visitor at the Barton Creek Fitness Center, where staff honored him after his passing by closing the facility for the day and wearing purple, the color of TCU.
Mayfield’s faith was a cornerstone of his life; he consistently demonstrated his love for Jesus Christ and contributed actively to Austin Ridge Bible Church. He was a champion of the “NEXT” fund and supported various missions aimed at uplifting the community.
A memorial service is scheduled for May 28, 2025, at the Austin Ridge Bible Church Worship Center, allowing family and friends to celebrate the life of a man whose actions and dedication to community building have left a lasting impact. In lieu of flowers, donations are requested to support the NEXT campaign on the Austin Ridge website.
RT Mayfield will be remembered not just for his accomplishments in business and sports, but as a man of action whose life was committed to serving others and creating vibrant communities.
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Additional Resources
- Dignity Memorial: Robbie Mayfield Obituary
- Wikipedia: Austin, Texas
- Cleveland.com: Baker Mayfield Draft
- Google Search: Robert Terry Mayfield
- Dignity Memorial: Robert Hewitt Obituary
- Google Scholar: Robert Terry Mayfield
- Dignity Memorial: Elizabeth Hewitt Obituary
- Encyclopedia Britannica: RT Mayfield
- Dignity Memorial: Robert Hewitt Duplicate
- Google News: Robert Terry Mayfield
Author: STAFF HERE AUSTIN WRITER
The AUSTIN STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREAustinTX.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Austin, Travis County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as SXSW, Austin City Limits Music Festival, Formula 1 United States Grand Prix, and the Austin Film Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Austin Chamber of Commerce and Visit Austin, plus leading businesses in technology, automotive, and retail that power the local economy such as Dell Technologies, Tesla, and Apple. As part of the broader HERE network, including HERECollegeStation.com, HEREDallas.com, HEREHouston.com, and HERESanAntonio.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Texas's dynamic landscape.
