Robert Allan Payne, Sr.

Robert Allan Payne, Sr. passed away peacefully in San Clemente on the morning of February 17, 2022, after battling Parkinson's Disease for over 15 years. Robert was born October 1, 1947, as Robert Allan Payne, only child of Robert Lowell Payne and Virginia Merl Payne. He is survived by his parents and his wife, Carol Ann Payne. Robert and Carol were married in 1972 and had two children, both of whom predeceased him, Kristina Lynne Payne (August 9, 1974 - August 19, 1974) and Robert Allan Payne, Jr. (April 28, 1977 - November 4, 2009).

Robert graduated from Westchester High School in L.A., CA and received his B.S. in Electrical Engineering from Cal State University, Long Beach. During school and college years he played trombone in band and orchestra, with a solo at the Hollywood Bowl. He was in The Music Man 1962 film as a trombone player in the band. He was on the football teams, earned a Third Degree Black Belt in Kenpo Karate, and ran a Karate school with his best friend.

He entered the USAF in 1970 and was commissioned as an officer. He proudly received his pilot wings and trained thereafter in C-141 jumbo jets, and attended survival training in Florida, Fairchild, WA, and Panama.

His military career was distinguished and honorable, with service as Co-pilot and then Captain and Aircraft Commander of C-141 transport aircraft. While stationed at Norton AFB in San Bernardino, CA, he was assigned numerous hazardous duty flights into the combat zones of Vietnam, and worldwide trips to Guam, Japan, Australia, Thailand, Europe, and the Middle East. He commanded the first supply flight into Israel in support of the first Gulf War (and loved the olives in the lunch the Israelis provided!) His flights into Vietnam exposed him to Agent Orange, which was the cause of his Parkinson's Disease.

After the Vietnam war, Robert returned to civilian life in 1975, as an electrical engineer at Hughes Aircraft Company, Culver City. Family effort built a house nearby and Robert installed the low-voltage wiring.

He had been a pilot for five years, so sought additional technical, electrical engineering and computer knowledge. A fun start was early HP reverse Polish notation calculators and digital watches! With a Heath Kit course he put together a TV and an organ to brush up on electronics. He read everything in Hughes Aircraft Company library on RADAR, computers, hardware and software, and bought the early Apple II for experimentation.

His diligent study and his managerial experience as an aircraft commander paid off. He was quickly promoted through the ranks during his years at Hughes Aircraft, up to Laboratory Manager, a senior executive position. He especially enjoyed his time working on the F-18 Radar systems, test flights, trips to the London and Paris Air Shows, and getting to know and work with excellent professional colleagues.

Son Robert Allan Payne, Jr. (Bobby) was born in 1977 and Robert added "Sr." to his own name. They loved biking on the Marina beach path, with Jr. in the child seat. Bobby was bright, funny, and interested in everything. Robert was a devoted and excellent father, attuned to Bobby’s interests and humor.

During the time in Los Angeles, Robert also authored two computer articles one for BYTE Magazine and one for Call A.P.P.L.E. At the same time, another major construction project gave them a lovely yard with pool, shaded patio and separate apartment with space for hobbies and entertaining.

In 1985 the family moved to beautiful Colorado, and Robert worked in Advanced Programs Development at Hughes/GM. He enjoyed that work, but other interests called and he retired early to pursue them. Slight tremors of Parkinson's Disease were also beginning, though that diagnosis was not known at the time.

Still active in early retirement, Robert was the technical support and office manager for his wife, Carol's, law practice and installed networking of the office computers when most law firms were still sending tape recordings to a typing pool. He renewed his private pilot's license, received instructor rating, and gave flying lessons. He taught advanced algebra at Denver Technical Institute. He got a real estate broker's license. He learned to play trombone again, played in several bands, began giving lessons, and played in the orchestra for Carol’s musicals.

Soon, he fully retired and spent his time hiking and cross-country skiing in Colorado, with horse pack trips in Colorado, Wyoming, Montana. He taught himself to watercolor paint the mountain images that filled those days. And he continued to play in bands and orchestras.

Their son passed away in 2009 and by then Parkinson's Disease had been diagnosed. The grief and cold made symptoms worse so they sold their dream home and moved back to California to be closer to family and warmer weather. Robert continued to paint, play chess, read voraciously--especially history--and hike in local areas as long as he could.

He was an extraordinarily brilliant man, loyal to friends and family, with many talents, accomplishments, interests and a quick sense of humor. He is missed.

Carol Payne March 24, 2022.

A visitation for Robert will be held Monday, March 7, 2022 from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM at Fairhaven Memorial Services, 27856 Center Drive, Mission Viejo, California 92692. A church service will occur Monday, March 28, 2022 from 11:30 AM to 1:00 PM at Calvary Presbyterian Church, 4495 Magnolia Ave, Riverside, CA 92501. A graveside service with Veterans Military Honors will occur Monday, March 28, 2022 from 1:45 PM to 2:15 PM.

Church information:

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The Church is still requiring guests to wear a mask.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.fairhavenmemorialservices.com for the Payne family.