Robert Milton Coon passed away on December 26, 2019, at the age of 84, in San Diego, California. Bob was born on January 12, 1935 in Needham, Massachusetts to Edna Gertrude (Ferguson) and Gerald A Coon. He had an idyllic childhood growing up in Needham. He spent summers in Rocky Nook living in a cottage built by his father and “messing about in boats” with his brother David and sisters Alice and Nancy. He graduated from Needham High School – where he developed a great love for mathematics – and went to the University of Massachusetts, Amherst where he earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering in 1957. One snowy winter in January of his final year at UMass, a recruiter showed him pictures of San Diego; Bob took one look at the Pacific Ocean and the sunny beaches and he was hooked. He packed all of his belongings in his car, drove across the country on Route 66 and never looked back. He loved the warm San Diego weather, the sunshine and the beaches, playing golf, sailing, kayaking, and most of all fishing and camping in Baja California along the Pacific Ocean and the Sea of Cortez.
Bob received his Master of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering in 1963 from San Diego State University and worked at Teledyne Ryan Aeronautical and Convair as an aeronautical engineer for over 40 years. Bob married Norma Jean Rempe at the University of San Diego Immaculata Chapel in 1963. He was married to Norma for almost 50 years and they had five children: Michael, Ralphie, Gerry, Brian and Robin. Bob and Norma enjoyed frequent road trips across the country in their little trailer, visiting New England and Nova Scotia almost every year. They were avid world travelers visiting Europe, Cuba, Costa Rica, going on cruises to Russia, Alaska, Mexico and the Galapagos, visiting their son Gerry in Australia and their daughter Robin in India, and going to sacred sites in Bali and the Holy Land. Bob and Norma shared a rich, spiritual life together, and Bob was an active member of AA for 41 years, helping others to achieve and sustain sobriety. Bob also enjoyed building boats and kayaks, and was a long-time member of the Mission Bay Yacht Club. He had a great passion for classical music and going to the opera.
Bob will be held lovingly in the hearts of his daughters Robin and Ralphie, son Gerry and his wife Erin, grandchildren Ella and Karch, and his sisters Alice Stiles and Nancy Briggett. He was preceded in death by his wife Norma and sons Michael and Brian. A memorial service will be held at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church in Mission Hills on Saturday, January 11, 2020 at 11 AM. There will be a Rosary at 10:30 AM.
St. Vincent de Paul Church
4080 Hawk Street
San Diego, CA 92103
Charitable donations may be made to Heartland House, San Diego.
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