Robert Presley has had a distinguished and varied career, first as a highly decorated soldier of World War II, then in law enforcement He has also been a California State Senator, and is presently active in the California criminal justice system.
As a World II combat veteran, Presley was awarded the Bronze Star for Heroic Achievement in Action while serving with the Fifth Army in Italy. Presley is a graduate of the FBI National Academy in Washington D.C. He holds a lifetime teaching credential in Police Science and served 24 years with the Riverside County Sheriff's Department, the last 12 years as Undersheriff.
Presley served in the State Senate 1974-1994. In a survey of the Capitol Press Corp, Legislators, legislative staff and governmental advocates, the California Journal rated Presley number one out of 40 State Senators. The National Assembly of Governmental Employees also selected him as one of ten outstanding State Legislators in the U.S.
During his tenure in the California State Senate, he served on the Judiciary, Agriculture and Water, Natural Resources and Budget Committees. In 1985, he was chosen Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee. Presley also served on the Joint Legislative Audit Committee, which oversees spending and performance of state agencies. He has been a leading advocate of streamlining government. As Chairman of the Senate Select Committee on California's Business Climate, he aggressively worked to ensure that government policies encouraged business reinvestment in California.
As Chairman of the Joint Legislative Prisons Committee, Presley carried major anti-crime and prison construction legislation, and provided oversight of the state's prisons, as well as, the California Youth Authority. He also authored air quality and consumer protection laws and Workers' Compensation reform. As Chairman of the Senate Select Committee on Children and Youth, he authored major legislation to improve children's services.
Groups such as the California Peace Officers' Association, the State Parks and Recreation- Association, the County Supervisors Association of California, the Family Services Council of California and the Chief Probation Officers of California have named Presley "Legislator of the Year." The Independent Business Coalition Against Workers' Compensation Fraud recognized him as a "Fraud Buster of the Highest Order." Presley has been honored by the Small Business Exchange and the National Federation of independent Business for his efforts to assist small business development. He has received special recognition for his landmark legislation strengthening disciplinary systems for doctors and lawyers.
Presley was the first Chairman of the Board of the Crime Control Technology Research Center at the University of California, Riverside. He was appointed by Governor Pete Wilson as Chairman of the California Youthful Offender Parole Board. The Riverside County Board of Supervisors appointed Presley Chairman of the County Commission on Reorganization and Structure. He was also a former President of the State Medical Podiatry Board and board member of the Children's Advocacy Institute, based in San Diego.
On January 4, 1999, Governor Gray Davis appointed Presley Secretary of the Youth and Adult Correctional Agency, overseeing a 5.7 billion dollar budget, 163,000 inmates, 110,000 parolees under parole supervision, and 51,000 employees. Presley left as the Agency Secretary upon a change of Governors in November, 2003. He is presently a private consultant in Sacramento, California.
Robert is survived by; daughter Donna Danielson; daughter Marilyn Raphael and son-in-law Dan Raphael; son Bob Presley; daughter-in-law Trish Presley; grandson Michael (Lori) Becker, grandson Bill Thurber, grandson Aaron Danielson, granddaughter Shell (Harry) Danielson-Lewis, granddaughter Ashlee (Brian) Clavijo, grandson Sean Raphael, granddaughter Dr. Alexa (Stephen) Sales, DDS, great granddaughter Audrianna Acosta, great granddaughter Kalei Becker, great grandson Chance Becker, great granddaughter Andalyn Lewis, great grandson Elliott Raphael, great granddaughter, Alana Clavijo, great granddaughter, Kirra Clavijo, great granddaughter Olivia Clavijo, great grandson Cruz Clavijo and great grandson Scott Elliott Sales. Robert also leaves to cherish his memory one great-great grandson, Oliver Acosta.
A Celebration of Life Service for Robert will be held Monday, October 1, 2018 from 10:30 AM -12:00 PM at Acheson & Graham Garden of Prayer Mortuary, 7944 Magnolia Ave, Riverside, CA 92504.
Private interment will be at Riverside National Cemetery, Riverside, California.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.AchesonandGraham.com for the Presley family.
