Robert Neal Eastman

Robert “Bob” Eastman, passed away on October 19, 2022 at the age of 71, in Yorba Linda, California after a long and courageous battle with cancer. He was a loving father, grandfather, brother, uncle and friend. His family affectionately called him Bobby. Throughout his life he endured numerous types of cancers and the chemotherapy and operations that came with it. He did all of this with an unwavering positive attitude and self-less approach. He was determined to live his life to the fullest and enjoy his time with family and friends, while listening to good music.

He served in the 3d U.S. Infantry Regiment, also known as the “Old Guard”, where he was part of a select group chosen to serve in the President’s Honor Guard. He participated in Nixon’s inauguration, Lyndon B. Johnson’s funeral, as well as other ceremonial events. He was very proud of the time he served, kept mementos from his experiences, and spoke often of it.

He worked for Weber’s bread for a number of years, and although the hours were not ideal, it allowed for him to have his afternoons free to spend time with his children, coach their sports teams, and attend every volleyball game and track meet. He moved on to a Team Sales position at Sports Chalet. He was very much in his element at Sport Chalet and enjoyed selling team uniforms to schools, club teams, little leagues, etc. Throughout his life, no matter his occupation, he made the best out of any situation and always enjoyed meeting new people, whether they were coworkers or customers. He was always smiling, willing to listen, willing to help, willing to be a friend. Anyone that he worked with saw him as their friend, not just their coworker.

Bob loved his family deeply, but music, baseball and golf were also big parts of his life that helped shape him. He loved to go to concerts and share his love of music with anyone that would listen. He found a connection with the lyrics of many of the songs he would listen to... His love of music was profound and he passed that love of music to his children and grandchildren. His passion for baseball grew, from playing and watching it as a child, to coaching his kids and taking them to Angel and Titan games as well. He also enjoyed playing rounds of golf with friends and family.

Family was the most important thing to Bob. He was very close with his siblings, Joyce, Ross and Peggy, and loved talking and keeping in touch with all of his nieces and nephews. He adored his children, Amy and Eric, and experienced love on a whole new level when his grandchildren entered the picture. Eleanor (6), Andrew (3) and Emily (5 months) captured his whole heart. He spent every Saturday morning eating bagels with his grandchildren and chasing them around the house. He loved spoiling them with too many presents and bringing them their favorite donuts. They meant everything to him and gave him fuel to fight on. His last days, and even his final moments, were spent surrounded by the people he loved.

Bob’s amazing life will be honored at a Celebration of Life that will take place at Meadowlark Golf Course in Huntington Beach at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday January 8, 2023. We would love for anyone who knew Bob and loved Bob to come celebrate and share stories with us.