Robert Thomas Owens

Bob was born December 20, 1935 in Bemidji, MN to Remus Raymond Owens and Iris Ardella Owens. The family moved west shortly thereafter, residing in San Carlos and Salt Lake City while his father worked as an engineer constructing airports and veterans facilities.

Bob attended Judge Memorial High School in Salt Lake City, then graduated from Serra High School in 1953. He attended Santa Clara University, earning a degree in Civil Engineering while in the Army ROTC program.

Upon graduation he was commissioned into the United States Army as a Second Lieutenant, serving 2 years at Fort Leonard Wood in Missouri, then as a reservist at Fort Hunter Liggett. Honorably discharged as First Lieutenant, and inspired to work for the betterment of all Americans, Bob returned to Santa Clara University and enrolled in the School of Law. He made many lifelong friendships here, and received his Juris Doctorate in 1963 at the head of his class.

Bob began his legal career in the Santa Clara County Counsel’s office, where he served for 20 years. He then joined Littler-Mendelson, providing representation and legal guidance to school districts throughout the Bay Area region. With these experiences under his cap, Bob began teaching at Santa Clara University, educating emerging leaders on legal aspects of school administration.

Upon retirement, he served on the City of Santa Clara Civil Service Commission for many years. He was elected to the West Valley - Mission Community College District Board of Trustees in 2000 where he served for more than 20 years, shepherding the district into one of the most successful community college districts in the state.

Introduced by a mutual friend, Bob met the love of his life Janet Lorraine Hopf in 1966. They married in Burlingame and settled in Santa Clara in 1967 where they raised 6 sons. The Owens family spent countless weekends and holidays with Bob’s sister Nancy, her husband Frank Hegarty and their 3 daughters. The boys went all-in on swimming and water polo and Bob spent more hours on the pool deck than seemed possible, occasionally serving as clerk of the course because of his practiced “dad voice".

A parishioner at St. Justin Catholic Church for over 60 years, Bob was a lector for 25 years and served on the Community Ministry Advisory Board. He was also a long time volunteer at Sacred Heart Community Center, and a board member and President of Santa Clara Swim Club.

Bob was passionate about Santa Clara Broncos basketball, San Jose Sharks and Barracuda hockey and enjoyed many visits to The Del Mar Thoroughbred Club. A lover of music, Bob was always up for a concert with his sons with artists ranging from Ozzy Osborne, Willie Nelson, Jerry Garcia, and many Bridge School Concerts. Bob loved to travel, and he and Jan took many excursions across North America, Europe and South America as well as partaking in several oceanic cruises.

Bob is preceded in death by his parents Remus and Iris (Duncan) Owens, and wife Janet (Hopf) Owens.

Bob leaves behind his younger sister, Nancy (Frank) Hegarty; Sons Robert Jr, Stephen (Rosalie), Terrence (Kim), Theodore, Timothy (Veronica) and James (Erica); Nieces Gail (Bob) Zimmerman, Wynne Hegarty and Tracy (Steve) Sirianni; Nephews Chris Giblin and Matt Giblin; 11 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren.

A Catholic Mass will be held on Tuesday March 24 at 11:00AM, with celebration immediately following, at St Justin Catholic Church 2655 Homestead Rd in Santa Clara

In lieu of flowers the family requests donations to St. Justin Community Ministry (https://st-justin.org/community-ministry) or the The Bob Owens Memorial Scholarship for students in need at the West Valley - Mission Foundation (https://tinyurl.com/wvm-bob-owens)