Robert J. Werner

Robert J Werner, 87 of Hemet, California passed away on Monday, November 13, 2017, at Life Care Center of Menifee in Sun City, California. He was born on Sunday, October 12, 1930, at Blue Point, Long Island, New York. He was the youngest of 11 children and son of late William and Lillian Werner. He was the married to the love of his life, Jean Werner for 63 years. Bob was known as Bo in his family. If you asked for Bob Werner in Blue Point they would ask ," Which One?", you just mention Bo and everyone knew which one. His family settled there back in the mid 1880's when his Grandfather retired from the New York City Fire Department. Bo volunteered with the Blue Point Fire Department from age 10 to 22. He was small and part of the "Mighty Midgets" where he raced other teams on the many pieces of equipment.

Bob grew up in a Rockwell setting. The area was full of woods, streams and ponds along with the Great South Bay. He started fishing and clamming with his two brothers Al and Rupe when he was very young. When their Mom wanted clams for chowder she sent them to the Bay and they dug them and brought them home. Their lives revolved around the Bay.

At age 15 Bob started doing woodworking in school shop class. He loved it! He signed on with a builder to clean up the home sites, raking and cleaning bricks. When he graduated from High School he went to work for a contractor, who had been a ship builder. He taught him how to build a house from the ground up. Many of the houses they built are still standing in Blue Point today.

At age 21 he joined the Air Force and after boot camp he was sent to March Air Force Base. He became a Staff Sergeant shortly after arriving and took over the wood shop at the base. He built loading docks and repaired navigator tables as well as wooden interiors of the planes that came in from Korea. The officers found out how talented he was and put him to work doing remodeling work for their offices and homes.

Bob Met Jean when her Father, who was a civilian employee, invited him home for Sunday dinner. Her Dad was building a house in Elsinore and needed help. He and Jean dated for two years before they got married at March Field, Oct 2, 1954. He got discharged in 1955 and they moved back to Long Island. After 7 years there and birth of the daughter, Jean Marie, they decided to move back to California.

Bob started working at the Elsinore post office and then transferred to Corona. After getting frustrated over the working conditions of the post office, he went to night school and got his California State Contractors Licensee and resigned from the Post office. He worked for about a year at contracting then a friend came by and told him the City of Corona was looking for a building inspector. He worked in Corona for four years then transferred to Seal Beach for two years as a Building Official and transferred to Chino where he retired in1993. Bob still enjoyed doing his carpentry. He recently completed his 40th mantelpiece for Crean Acres homes.

Surviving is his wife Jean Werner; daughter Jean Werner.

Online condolences may be made to the family at www.miller-jones.com