Robert Alonzo Welch (1872-1952) was a Texan investor who became very successful in the oil, sulfur, banking, and real estate industries in the Houston area.
Originally from South Carolina, he moved to Houston at the age of fourteen.
He worked for the Bute Paint Company as bookkeeper starting in 1891 and rose through the ranks to be secretary-treasurer.
When he died, he left $25 million to a trust fund to support basic chemical research in Texas.
[citation needed] According to his will, 15% of his estate ($7.5 million) was divided among his 29 employees.