Robert "Bob" Montgomery - FUHS 1949

Robert "Bob" Montgomery, passed away peacefully with family at his side on Friday, March 27, 2020 at age 88. He was born in Fullerton to Albert and Thelma Montgomery. Bob attended Fullerton High School where he enjoyed swimming and water polo, and where he first met the love of his life, Claire. He earned his Bachelor Degree in Physics at U.C. Berkeley, was an active member of the Acacia Fraternity, and continued to compete in swimming and water polo.

 In 1954, during the Korean conflict, he enlisted in the Navy and was stationed at Sangley Point in the Philippines and Port Lyautey, Morocco as a meteorologist. His military service allowed him to travel and visit countries all over the world, including China, Vietnam, India, Italy, France, Germany and Belgium. At the completion of his service, he returned to Fullerton and reunited with Claire and her two children, (Connie and Geary) on Easter Sunday and they were married a year later. Bob worked on America's early aerospace program at Rocketdyne, McDonnell-Douglas, and later Hughes Aircraft as a Rocket Engineer. In 1967, he was able to move his family to Huntington Beach, where he made many life-long friendships. 

Breakfasts at the Sugar Shack on Main Street were a treasured time to share stories with dear friends. As a child, Bob enjoyed trout fishing with friends and family in the Sierras. He passed on his love of camping and fishing through annual trips to Bass Lake and Bishop Creek. After retirement, Bob and Claire relocated to Bishop, California where they could enjoy the stunning backdrop of the Sierras, take off for fishing and hiking within a few short miles of their home, and spend time with their grandchildren. Some of his greatest joys were fishing with his grandchildren on Bishop Creek, breakfast overlooking Lake Sabrina, and walking his dog along the canals. Bob was preceded in death by his wife, Claire. Bob is survived by daughters Connie Miller (Mike), Kim Trefry (Randy), Jennifer Montgomery (Wes) and son Geary Hund; grandchildren Robert, Anne, James, Kathryn and Matthew, and great-grandchildren Maya, Teagan, Ashton, Joshua and Beau. In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Alzheimer's Organization (act.ALZ.org) or Sutter Auburn Faith VNA and Hospice (sutterhealth.donordrive.com). A celebration of life will be held once we are no longer suffering from social distancing limitations.

Published in Orange County Register on Apr. 5, 2020