Robert Vaughan Kremer

Robert Vaughan Kremer of San Jose, California, and Sun Valley, Idaho, passed away October 29, 2014. He will be greatly missed for his humor, style, and grit. Bob was born in Minneapolis and attended Washburn High School in Minnesota. Shortly after graduation, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy, where he served on a destroyer that toured with the famous USS Midway during WWII. He ended his Naval career as a Lieutenant JG. After the war, Bob continued his education at Northwestern University, earning his Bachelors in Mechanical Engineering. Bob moved to Los Angeles, California in the early 1950’s, and in 1959 moved to Sunnyvale to work at Lockheed Missiles and Space (Lockheed Martin). After the move, he earned his MBA from Santa Clara University. He enjoyed a dynamic career as a mechanical engineer and manager of administration until his retirement in 1991. Bob’s many adventures included flying under a private pilot’s license in the early 1970’s, skiing in his beloved Sun Valley, and world travels with his wife, children, grand-daughter and friends. He will be fondly remembered when his loved ones fill in a crossword puzzle, pour a Manhattan (always stirred, never shaken), or ski the beautiful runs of Mount Baldy. Preceding him in death were his father and mother, Edward G. Kremer and Sophia Thomas Kremer of Grand Rapids, MN; his sister, Helen Freeman of Grand Rapids, MN; brother, G. Fred Kremer, Hudson, WI; and brother Richard “Dick” Kremer of Edina, MN. Bob is survived by his loving wife, Ruth C. Lee; his two children, Lisa Selzer (Fremont, CA); Greg Kremer (Cupertino, CA) and his grand-daughter Victoria Selzer (San Diego, CA). “In years to come, when sailors come home from the sea, they will still remember the ocean with fondness and respect all its moods: the impossible, shimmering mirrored calm and the storm-tossed green water surging over the bow. Gone ashore for good, they will grow wistful about their Navy days, when the seas belonged to them and a new port of call was ever over the horizon. Remembering this, they will stand taller and say, ‘I was a sailor once.’” (Adapted from “I Was A Sailor Once,” by Vice Admiral Harold Koenig, USN (RET, 1998), M.D.) Bob will be remembered not as having gone ashore for good, but instead, as looking over the next, new horizon. Memorial Service will be held on Thursday, November 6, 2014 at 2:00 p.m. at Lima Family Santa Clara Mortuary, 466 N. Winchester Blvd., Santa Clara, CA 95050. In lieu of flowers, his family asks you to consider a donation in his memory to http://www.gentivahospicefoundation.org/