Robert Lowell Preston

Robert Lowell Preston, 73, loving husband, father, grandfather, and friend passed away peacefully on December 15, 2010, with his beloved wife, Linda Preston, by his side. He was very loved and is now at peace after fighting a courageous battle with cancer.

Lowell was born on January 17, 1937, in Madisonville, Hopkins County, Kentucky. After graduating from Madison High School in 1955, he attended the Naval Academy and graduated in the Class of 1959. He was appointed Commander and served two missions in Vietnam where he received the Bronze Star with a Combat "V." After honorably serving 21 years of active duty with the Navy, Lowell was appointed Executive Officer at the Naval Civil Engineering Laboratory. In 1976, he received his Ph.D from the Georgia Institute of Technology. Lowell was then employed by the County of Ventura, from 1991 to 2005, as Manager of the Water Resources Department, where he retired.

He was an accomplished race car driver and an avid Nascar fan.

Lowell was preceded in death by his mother, Macie Lorraine Preston, and his father, Robert Cecil Preston. He will be dearly missed by his wife of 17 years, Linda Preston; his two children, Teri Avertoom and Robert Preston; his stepson, Eric Landis; and his three grandchildren, Robert, Michael and Christopher Preston.

A loving thank you to Livingston Memorial VNA and Hospice who made his last days comfortable and peaceful.

All friends and loved ones of Lowell's are invited to attend a Celebration of his Life on Tuesday, January 4, 2011, at 10 a.m., at Ted Mayr Funeral Home, 3150 Loma Vista Road, Ventura. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Livingston Memorial VNA and Hospice, 1996 Eastman Ave., Suite 101, Ventura, CA 93003.

Condolences may be left at www.TedMayrFuneralHome.com.