Robert James Connell Jr.

Robert (“Bob”) James Connell Jr. of San Diego, CA passed away on September 14, 2025 at age 81. He was born on March 12, 1944 in San Diego where his parents, Robert James Connell and Catherine Ellen Sheets, settled and raised their family. He grew up in Ocean Beach in a house overlooking Sunset Cliffs that his father designed. Bob attended Ocean Beach Elementary, Sunset View Elementary, Dana Junior High School, and Point Loma High School. After high school, he attended an apprenticeship program at Convair and became an aeronautical tool designer.

From a young age, he enjoyed living by the beach, surfing, boating, and working on classic cars. He also enjoyed many fun times with the O.B. Longhorns and his Convair/General Dynamics friends, family camping trips to Mexico, and holiday beach parties. He entertained his grandchildren with stories about surfing at Sunset Cliffs before school in the morning, drag racing in El Cajon, and living through the 1960s.

Bob’s friendly manner and encouraging presence were an inspiration to everyone who met him. He taught multiple generations of kids, grandkids, nieces, and nephews to ride a bike, surf, water ski, drive, and change a flat tire or the oil in the car. He was always willing to help a friend or family member–whether that meant listening to them talk or rescuing them when their car broke down on the freeway. He enjoyed watching his kids and grandkids play sports, and, along with generations of family members, he was a Chargers fan to the end. Later in life, he could regularly be found sitting in the backyard with his dog watching the airplanes and talking on the phone with his friends, kids, and grandkids.

Bob was preceded in death by his parents and his two sisters, Sherry Zambrano and Catherine York. He is survived by his wife, Gayle Bauer; children, Troy Connell and Molly Blackwell; stepchildren, Holly Bauer and Brad Bauer; grandchildren, Josh, Cameron, Brian, Wyatt, Swade, Elise, Shyla, Kai, Stella, Dustin, and Daniel; great grandchildren, Jack, Sonny, Myla, Logan, and Maverick; and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and close friends.

A celebration of life will be held on October 12, 2025 (12-5 p.m., program at 1 p.m.) at a private residence. Please contact the family for more information.