Robert Bob Santa Cruz

Bob Santa Cruz passed away peacefully on Sunday, February 13, 2022, following a brief illness at the age of 97. He was born in Gulfport, MS on August 21, 1924. He spent his childhood years in Gulfport and Mobile, AL. Bob is preceded in death by his parents, Frank Santa Cruz and Everitta Cuevas Santa Cruz, his wife Joyce Spencer Santa Cruz, his infant son Ronnie Lee Santa Cruz, and his daughter Deborah Ann Santa Cruz. Bob is survived by his daughter Cheryl Santa Cruz Hauver, his grandchildren Dr. Terence L. Hauver II (Wendi Sweetland), Erin Hauver (Kenneth O’Brien) and his grandchildren Lillian and Alaina Hauver, and Lyla and Ryler O’Brien. Bob was the last surviving member of his generation, having lost his brother Frank Santa Cruz (Eileen), and his sisters Betty Gilreath (Samuel Gilreath) and Norma Jean Calametti (Christie Calametti). Bob voluntarily entered the U.S. Army Air Corp, the predecessor of the U.S. Air Force, in 1942 at the age 18 and served until the end of the War. He attended Vanderbilt University and majored in Engineering while stationed in Nashville, TN. He initially trained as a Gunner but with his engineering skills he was tasked with training pilots on flight simulators. After discharge from the service, he worked for Palmer and Baker Engineering in Mobile, AL. During that time, he was sent to New Orleans, LA as a Surveyor for the Harvey and Belle Chasse tunnels, and the north shore completion of the Causeway. He moved to New Orleans, in 1957 for a position with Gulf Oil Corporation, which later became Chevron Oil. He was employed there for 30 plus years as an Engineer and Licensed Surveyor, plotting the locations of oil rigs in the Gulf of Mexico. Bob had one goal after retirement, he wanted to live to 100. He was blessed with excellent health for most of his life. He took up running in marathons in his 60’s and 70’s, including the Crescent City Classic and the annual Halloween marathon. He was an experienced tinkerer who could take apart and put together household items, such as toasters, irons, and TV’s. He had a variety of hobbies, foremost was the acquisition and repair of old clocks. At one time, he had as many as 100 clocks from the 1800’s and 1900’s which he kept running and which all chimed simultaneously in the house. He also had a well-equipped workshop for repair of furniture. He was not one that would call on repair services if it was something he could fix himself. He believed in being self-sufficient. He was an avid history buff, especially for Civil War and World War II history. He was a devoted “techie” who owned the latest computers and printers and spent hours researching genealogy and amassing documents on his ancestors. Bob was a very social person all his life and had many friends. He spent his later years with his coffee group at Starbucks, never missing a day to connect with his friends there. He will be sadly missed by family and friends. A memorial service will be held in his honor at a later date. The family invites you to share fond memories and condolences online at www.lakelawnmetairie.com.