Robert Nelson Graber

Robert Nelson Graber of Escondido, California, known fondly to friends and family as Bob, passed away on Friday, February 16, 2024, after a brief illness. He was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin on August 20, 1929, to Claude Mayhew Graber and Ethel Lucille (Nelson) Graber. Bob's formative years unfolded in St. Petersburg, Florida, setting the stage for a life filled with diverse experiences. Bob’s lifelong passion for aviation began with a Goodyear blimp ride at age eight and his first airplane ride in an Aeronca ‘Champion’ as a teenager. After graduation from St. Petersburg High School, he joined the U.S. Air Force and was assigned to the Occupation Forces in Tokyo, Japan for two years. Upon returning to the United States, he was assigned to Norton Air Force Base, San Bernardino, California, where he met his wife, Shirley Campbell. They married in 1951 and joined a young adult group called the Caviteers. Many couples from the group were married and they enjoyed lifelong friendships and reunions over the years.

He attended San Bernardino Valley Junior College and San Jose State College, graduating with a Degree in Industrial Engineering. He was a charter member of California Eta Chapter of Tau Beta Pi Engineering Honor Society.

Bob and family arrived in Escondido, California in 1968 pursuing employment in San Diego as a Quality Control Engineer. With four children, life was full of family activities including volunteering as a Cubmaster, Little League coach, raising Guide Dogs for the Blind, and camping trips in the Heilite Trailer. Bob enjoyed cultivating his impressive garden filled with citrus and fruit trees, berries, African Violets, Bonsai trees and a spectacular rose garden. He retired from the Kearfott Division of the Singer Company in 1991.

After retirement, he and Shirley traveled extensively to Europe, Canada, and enjoyed Fall Foliage in the Eastern United States. He and Shirley spent many years volunteering with Meals on Wheels and enjoyed the challenge of genealogy, discovering our family’s diverse ancestry. They moved to Redwood Terrace Retirement Community in Escondido in 2005 and resided there together until Shirley’s passing in 2009 after 58 years of marriage.

After several years, Bob found love and companionship marrying Laurel Mae (Spears) Elwart in 2011. They enjoyed life together on cruises, activities at Redwood Terrace like silent movies and concerts in Balboa Park, plays, dinners at favorite restaurants and making memories with their blended families.

A man of many talents, Bob was a handyman's handyman, and a woodcarver who passed his skills to the next generation. Bob’s annual tradition of baking his signature Christmas bread brought warmth and joy to family and friends.

Bob was preceded in death by his wife Laurel in 2023 after 11 years, 6 months and 1 day of marriage. He was also preceded in death by wife Shirley Graber, stepdaughter Donna Elwart and grandson Glendon Graber. He is survived by four children, daughters, Diane Lapio of Murrieta, California and Marsha Graber of San Diego, California; sons, William (Peggy) Graber of Tucson, Arizona and Donald (Stacey) Graber of Mabank, Texas, stepdaughter Denise (Elwart) Flannagan (John) of Escondido, California, stepson David Elwart (Stacy) of Venice, Florida, grandchildren: Erica (Graber) Iyer (Kumar) of San Carlos, California, Joshua Lapio of Murrieta, California, Reid Graber of Allen, Texas and Duncan Graber of Dallas, Texas, step grandchildren Colina (Flannagan) Daigle (Ryan) of Farmington, Utah, Jessica (Flannagan) Clingo of West Point, Utah, and Siera (Flannagan) Kimble (Matthew) of Colorado Springs, Colorado, and great grandchildren Devan and Jai Iyer, step great grandchildren Noah, John and Luke Clingo and Maisie Daigle. He is also survived by his spirited cockatiel Johnny.

In remembrance of Bob’s life, we suggest that any charitable donations be made to an organization close to his heart:

Guide Dogs for the Blind

P.O. Box 151200

San Rafael, CA 94915-1200

Donations can also be made electronically at www.GuideDogs.com

A Celebration of Life will be held at Redwood Terrace, Dittus Hall, 710 West 13th Avenue, Escondido at 2:00pm on Saturday, March 9th, 2024.