Robert Leon Bronson was born in Macon, Georgia on March 25, 1944, to Mrs. Hazel Battle Bronson and Henry Bronson. Robert was the tenth of eleven children. He attended Lizzie Chapel Baptist Church where he developed a deep faith in God which sustained him throughout his life. He attended Unionville Elementary School and Ballard-Hudson Senior High School in Macon, Georgia. During his formative years, Robert was the first African American in Bibb County to earn the distinguished Eagle Scout rank which only 4% of all scouts ever achieve. Robert graduated from high school in 1962 as Honorary Class Valedictorian. As an exemplary student who truly valued education, Robert received a full scholarship to attend Morehouse College in Atlanta where he earned a bachelor’s degree in mathematics in 1966. Two years later, he would go on to receive a master’s degree in mathematics and statistics from Purdue University in 1968.
In 1969, Robert moved to San Jose, CA and begin his illustrious teaching career. Robert taught math for one year at Samuel Ayer High School in Milpitas, CA and thirty-eight years in the Eastside Union High School District in San Jose, CA. During this time, he also held part-time teaching positions in the San Jose-Evergreen Community College District. In all, he spent a total of forty-years as a beloved educator in the South Bay area. Robert received several certificates of appreciation and recognition from the school district. He was most proud of receiving the “Mastery in Teaching and Peer Coaching” from the East Side Union High School District.
In 1984, Robert married Ms. Hattie Flagg. Robert and Hattie initially met in junior high school in Macon, Georgia; they both went on to attend and graduate from Ballard Hudson High School. Robert and Hattie later reconnected at their 20th high school reunion in 1982 and they have been together ever since – sharing thirty-nine years of marriage, raising and co-parenting five stepsons including seventeen grandchildren and one great grandchild.
Foremost in Robert’s life was his faithfulness and devotion to the teachings of Jesus Christ. Robert served 40 years as Deacon at Antioch Baptist Church including Sunday School Superintendent touching a multitude of lives. Robert and Hattie joined Life Valley Church in 2017, where Robert continued to share his God given spiritual gifts with his fellow worshippers at Life Valley Church in the Evergreen community, San Jose.
Left to cherish his memory are his wife, Hattie Bronson, brothers William Bronson of San Jose, CA, Harry Bronson of Atlanta, GA and sister, Bernice Houston of Macon, GA; stepsons and daughters-in-laws; Randall Flagg of Rancho Cordova, CA, Keith and Oneka Flagg of Powder Springs, GA, Kevin and Helen Flagg of San Jose, CA and Horace and Sarah Lovett of El Dorado Hills, CA. Preceding Robert in death are his parents, his stepson, Arthur Flagg, and seven siblings: Theodore Smith, Rosanna Hunt, Louis Bronson, Carolyn Bronson James, Sara Bronson Payton, Mildred Bronson Pittman and Vivian Bronson Hatcher.
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