Bob was born in Arvin California on August 17, 1940 to JT Scott and Annie Lou Miller Scott. At the time of his birth his father worked for the Tejon Ranch near Bakersfield. Later his father became a pipe fitter and the family moved several times, so Bob's childhood was spent in multiple places including Atascadero, San Luis Obispo, Pismo Beach, Morro Bay and Bakersfield. He had fond memories of racing homemade go-carts down the hills of the Central Coast as a boy. The last two years of high school were spent at Bakersfield High School where he graduated in 1958. According to his report cards, Bob was an exceptional student, a very good citizen, and well thought of by his teachers.
After graduation from high school Bob started an electronics program at Bakersfield Junior College but after a year he decided to take a break and sow a few wild oats. He worked as a gas station attendant and bought himself a ‘55 red Corvette convertible. It was during this time that he met the love of his life, Aileen. She was doing an internship at Bakersfield Memorial Hospital Laboratory and was on the hospital bowling league. They were introduced by a friend who also worked at the hospital. Bob and Aileen had some really great times riding in the corvette, bowling, watching movies, and going to Kern Canyon and Kern Park for picnics and hikes. After too many speeding tickets, Bob gave up his Corvette in exchange for a ‘55 Chevy and returned for his second year at Bakersfield Junior College. Bob and Aileen dated for about 2 years when they decided it was time to "tie the knot." They were married in Bakersfield on August 19, 1961. Aileen finished her internship and Bob graduated from Bakersfield College in 1962 after which, they moved to Redondo Beach. Bob took a job at Space Technology Laboratories as an Electronics Technician and worked on some of the earliest satellites.
In 1963 Bob enlisted in the US Army and served until 1966 as an Information Specialist and earned the rank of Specialist 5. During that time he received the following honors: National Defense Service Medal, Good Conduct Medal, Sharpshooter (Rifle) Badge, and Basic Missileman’s Badge. He was stationed at the Air Defense Artillery Center in Fort Bliss, Texas with the 5th Battalion, 57th Artillery.
After being honorably discharged in 1966, Bob returned to college at California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo where he earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Electronics Engineering. After graduating in 1970 Bob took a position with Naval Weapons Center and moved his young family to China Lake. During his nearly 50-year career supporting the Navy as an Electronics Engineer, Bob worked on the development of several weapons systems and defense programs. Bob enjoyed his work and made many amazing friends over the years.
In his personal life, Bob had many interests and he never lost his love of learning. He enjoyed reading posts on Digg and for fun he watched calculus classes on the Cal State Bakersfield channel. He was often reading magazines about science, travel, and Consumer Reports, and delighted in researching any topic that struck his interest. He collected stamps and coins and random information. He had recently become interested in British slang after his granddaughter married a British chap.
Bob was also a rock hound and collected gems and minerals. He also had a wealth of knowledge about the geology of the area. He could name all the mountains up and down the eastern side of the Sierras. In earlier years he spent time off-roading with friends and family in his Toyota Land Cruiser exploring the local desert area.
Bob was an avid reader and particularly liked old sci-fi novels. His collection included thousands of books that were meticulously cataloged in true engineer fashion. He loved scouring used book stores for additions to his collection. He had a wonderful sense of humor. His humor was punny and witty and smart. He was a fan of Dilbert comics and had a collection of over 300 of his favorite comic strips. He was a joker and one of his favorite pastimes was teasing his wife to exasperate her or make her laugh.
He was a very talented writer and everyone who had a paper or any other written material would ask him to proofread. He nearly always had ways to improve it. He had a great sense of direction and was hardly ever lost. He could remember streets and land marks from places he had not visited for years. He loved to travel and explore. He spent many summers camping on the central coast fishing and clamming with his kids. He was also eager for any excuse to take off for a Sunday drive to anywhere.
Bob was one of the wisest, smartest people one could ever know. He was often called upon by family, friends, neighbors, and acquaintances to share his vast knowledge. His children and grandchildren would often say "Ask Dad" or "Ask Poppy. He knows everything." Bob was friendly and generous to everyone he met. He was always available for a friendly chat, some sound advice, or help fixing anything from a broken sprinkler to a crashed computer. He was his family’s True North with limitless words of wisdom, but he was never judgmental when one chose to follow their own path.
More than anything Bob loved his family. He was generous with his time and with his love. He spent his whole life ensuring that his family never wanted for anything, and he received tremendous joy from his family’s happiness. Bob had a particular talent for soothing the babies in the family. He had a gentle calm demeanor and a special way of singing that calmed the children and grandchildren when they cried. The babies and children could often be found sitting or climbing on him, looking in his pockets, and patting his face. He would patiently play games, read books, and attend every game, concert, and special event. Bob was an unassuming, low-profile person who did not like to be in the spotlight, but to his family he was the Coolest Dude, El Supremo, Numero Uno, and the North American Champion of Everything. He was an incredible man. He is and will always be dearly loved and terribly missed.
Bob is survived by his loving wife of 58 years, Aileen Scott; 3 daughters: Sharon Scott, Aimee Bloomberg, and Jennifer (Lee) O’Laughlin; 8 grandchildren: Kayleigh (Jody) Bray, Malcolm Robinson, Alyssa Bloomberg, Ashley Bloomberg, Alec Bloomberg, Alexis O’Laughlin, Emily O’Laughlin, and Caitlin O’Laughlin; 1 great-grandchild: Landon Bloomberg; 1 sister: Carolle Tomlinson. Bob was preceded in death by his parents, JT and Annie Scott and his brother, Billy Scott.
Bob will be interred at Hillcrest Memorial Park in Bakersfield, California.
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***A memorial service will be held at Ridgecrest United Methodist Church, 639 N. Norma Street on a date to be determined to Celebrate the Life of this wonderful and dearly loved man.***
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