Dr. Robert George Comegys

He was born December 17, 1913 to Claude and Marie Arters Comegys at home on their wheat ranch in Eastern Washington. He graduated from the University of Washington where he met his future wife "that cute little brown eyed beauty" Valerie Jane Davis. They were married on December 26, 1941, shortly after the bombing of Pearl Harbor. They would have celebrated 72 years of marriage this year.

Robert served in the United States Navy as an Officer in Naval Intelligence during World War II and taught for several years at Whitman College in Walla Walla, Washington. He then moved the family to Palo Alto, California to complete his PhD at Stanford University.

In 1955 the Comegys family moved to Fresno where they remain. He was proud to be a professor of United States History at Fresno State for twenty five years where he was active in many organizations including AAUP (American Association of University Professors) and served on the Academic Senate. He was voted Distinguished Professor by the students in 1968. He was active in the College Community Congregational Church from its first year. He loved history and teaching the history of this country and its values to his students.

Professor Comegys was a man of character who lived through the Great Depression and the Second World War. He exemplified those qualities of self-discipline, reliability, dedication, responsibility, and above all honesty. His three children and six grandchildren respected him as an example they wanted to attain.

The family wishes to thank Somerford Place for caring for Bob and Val and to Ada Reyes of Golden Home Care for her care and loving concern.

He was preceded in death by his sister, Margaret Downing.

He is survived by his wife, of 72 years, Valerie of Fresno; his sister, Jean Goldsworthy of Spokane, Wa.; a daughter, Ann Ballow and her husband Robert of Anacortes, Wa.; sons, John of Dixon, Ca. and James and his wife Pam of Fresno; six grandchildren, Sean, Matthew, and Rebecca Comegys of Fresno, Robert Ballow and his wife Lana of Los Gatos, Ca., Kate Frazier and her husband Chad of Winters, Ca. and Ryan Ballow and his wife Noelia currently of Amman, Jordan; and his six great-grandchildren.

A Memorial Service will be held at College Community Congregational Church, 5550 N. Fresno Street on Saturday, December 21, 2013 at 11:00 a.m. with a Reception to follow.

Remembrances can be made to College Community Congregational Church or to the charity of your choice.