Robert Newman Hathaway

Bob grew up in Brooklyn and Long Island New York. After high school, he entered the United States Navy and served seven years during the Korean War. Bob’s ship supported a local orphanage with various forms of help. He met Peggy while helping out at the orphanage. They married and adopted their first son, Jim. The family moved to New York where Bob began his engineering studies at New York University. He graduated near the top of his class and was invited to join the prestigious honor society, Tau Beta Pi. Offered many jobs, he chose North American Rockwell in California. They settled in Buena Park and adopted two more children, son Robert Junior and daughter Terri. Peggy and Jim preceded Bob in death. In 2007, Bob married his wife Kaaren Gerace-Hathaway. This resulted in the blending of two beautiful families. All children were called sons and daughters, and Bob was dad and grandpa to all.

He was committed to excellence and rose quickly in his engineering career. As a project manager, he participated in the NASA Apollo Program, military projects, and advanced computerizing energy systems for the Sacramento Delta, Philadelphia Power and Electric, several South American countries, Sweden and Russia.

He retired as an engineer and pursued higher education and earned a law degree from USC. He practiced law in Buena Park. Years later, he wanted to teach science and mathematics. He secured a Master’s Degree in Education and taught at Walker Jr. High and Magnolia High School. During this time, Bob ran for election to support education in Fullerton. He was an elected School Board Trustee for the Fullerton Joint Union High School District for over 30 years. He also served for many years as a Board Member for the North Orange County Regional Occupational Programs.

Bob supported his community in many ways. He was an active member of the following organizations: Shriners,( Royal Chariots dune buggy parades for Shrine Hospital),  American Legion, Elks, Kiwanis, Rotary, Boys and Girls Club, Buena Park Chamber of Commerce, Friends of Jazz, and active in his Lutheran Church.

Age never defined Bob.  With his wife and family, at 91, he danced on a Jamaican catamaran. In his 80s, he toured the sights of Russia, The United Kingdom, China, and snorkeled in the South Pacific. With a large family, he never missed a family milestone. As a proud USC Alumni, he never missed a football game. He is an inspiration to all of us to live life to the fullest.

Bob is survived by his wife Kaaren, son Robert Hathaway Junior, daughter Terri Vaccher - Cardoza, 23 grandchildren and 5 great grandchildren.

Funeral services are set for Monday, September 28, 2020 at 10 a.m. at St. Paul Lutheran Church. Unfortunately, due to Covid restrictions, the church service will be limited to immediate family. The church will be providing live home streaming available for those wishing to observe. The procedure is go to Facebook, St. Paul Lutheran Church-Fullerton, CA, LIVE. As a family, we would like to extend the invitation to all who wish to attend his grave site memorial at Holy Sepulcher Cemetery, Orange, at 11:30.  Bob will be honored for his years of military service. Following the grave site memorial, there will be a reception for all who were able to attend.

In lieu of flowers, a donation may be made to the Career Education Foundation for the Robert N. Hathaway Memorial Scholarship. Career Education Foundation, 385 N. Muller Street, Anaheim, CA 92801.