Robert J Lange

Bob was a proud graduate of Compton High School and Compton College in 1948, setting the stage for his bachelor's degree in history from the University of California, Berkeley, in 1952.

Bob's commitment to service was demonstrated through his active duty in the United States Navy during the Korean War from 1952 to 1954, following his involvement in the Naval Reserves during his academic years. His naval career included a commission as an officer aboard the USS Halsey Powell, DD 686, a Fletcher-class destroyer assigned to accompany the USS Battleship Missouri.

Furthering his education, Bob earned a second bachelor's degree in foreign trade from Thunderbird Graduate School of International Management in 1958, where he was notable for delivering the graduation speech in French. His linguistic prowess extended to German, Spanish, and Mandarin, enhancing his international business career.

Bob was known for his dedication to his career in international business, and his wit, humor, and interest in multicultural experiences. To that end, he embarked on a distinguished 39-year tenure with Goodyear International Corporation in 1958 (GIC) as a sales trainee in Goodyear's elite executive management development program. Then in 1960 he began a fifteen year international assignment overseas by beginning in Ghana as a regional Goodyear representative. He then transferred to Peru as a manager of the tire department in 1963. In 1966, he became tire zone manager in Ivory Coast. He was then promoted to managing director, Goodyear Austria in 1967. After working with Goodyear sales in Great Britain in 1968, he was appointed sales director, Goodyear Germany in 1969 and returned to Austria in 1971 as managing director.

Upon moving to Goodyear headquarters in Akron, Ohio in 1975, he became sales manager for the Natural Rubber Division where he was in charge of sales and distribution of natural rubber and latex in domestic and international markets. He transitioned to manager of Goodyear Plantations overseas and later Goodyear Export based in San Francisco, CA until he retired from GIC in 1997. He was proud to serve Goodyear for his entire career where he was fortunate to flourish as a citizen of the world and where he made lifelong, dynamic friendships.

With his love of diverse cultures, languages, and international cuisine, Bob was always embracing new experiences while enriching the lives of those with whom he worked and played. He volunteered for the Canal Society of Ohio, the U.S Census, the Boy Scouts, in his wife Lani’s recovery bookstore, and served on the vestry at St. Paul's Episcopal church. An avid skier, traveler, sailor, gardener, camper, and reader, Bob was most content when he was enjoying his time with family and friends over a good meal or on the road to unexplored places.

Bob will be dearly missed by his family including his daughter Leslie (Mossy) Kennedy of Long Beach, CA and his son Chris Lange of Naperville, IL. He is preceded in death by his father, Captain Frederick Lange, a Cape Horner; his mother, Elizabeth De Kay; his son Andrew (Jennifer) Lange; his first wife, Lani Lange; and his second wife Patricia Lange.

He will be forever held in deep affection by his grandchildren, Catherine, Evan, Mitchell, Connor, and Madison. His dear friends from Compton, Cal Berkeley, the US Navy, Thunderbird, and the Goodyear days in addition to his extended family including Jennifer Lange, daughter-in-law, Tracey Cash, the Trier/Englemans, Keplingers, and Kasaris will miss him very much.

Plans for celebrating Bob's life include services in Akron, Ohio, and in Los Angeles, CA. His life's journey, marked by professional dedication, cultural exploration, and community involvement, will be fondly remembered by all who knew him.