Robert Jene Carpenter

Robert Jene Carpenter, 85, of Banning, California, formerly of Streator, Illinois, died peacefully at home in the Sun Lakes Community on Friday, October 9, 2015. He was born on August 18, 1930 to Gerald and Ida Carpenter in Streator, Illinois. He married Gloria Ullrich, from Ottawa, Illinois, on July 8, 1951, while he was stationed at Keesler Air Force Base in Biloxi, Mississippi.

Bob is survived by his four daughters, Gerri Guiler, Carolyn Carpenter, Lauri Tveit, and Wendy Carpenter; son-in-law Thomas Tveit; his four grandchildren, Garrett, Farranne, Cassandra, and Ashley Guiler; granddaughter-in-law Joanna Guiler; one great grandchild Robert Guiler; sister-in-law Glenice Carpenter; and several nieces and nephews including Ken Carpenter and Kathy Copp.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Gloria Ullrich Carpenter; his parents Gerald and Ida Carpenter; his brother, Donald Carpenter, and sister, Phyllis Carpenter Griffith, also formerly of Streator, Illinois.

Bob was an Air Force veteran, serving from 1951 to 1955. He received an Honorable Discharge while stationed in Aurora, Colorado, at Lowry Air Force Base. Bob earned a Bachelor's Degree in Engineering from UCLA and retired from Hughes Space and Communications Company after 37 years of service, primarily in the Microwave Communications Division.

Robert was the heart of his family and found great joy in being with his daughters and grandchildren. He called his wife “the love of his life” and cherished the memories they created together raising their family during their 60 years of marriage. Bob found pleasure in traveling with Gloria, square dancing, bowling, and more recently, in researching his family’s genealogy, writing his personal biography, playing bocce ball and golfing in the Sun Lakes Community, and enjoying Angels baseball. Robert’s smile and warm heart will be remembered by many.

In accordance with his wishes, there will be no public memorial service or funeral for Bob. Instead, he asked that you remember him with a donation to your favorite charity or one of his favored causes: St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, Wounded Warrior Project, Father Flanagan’s Boys’ Town, or the Ancona Cemetery in Ancona, Illinois.

Robert will be interred at the Riverside National Cemetery in Riverside, California, in a private ceremony.