Robert Milburn Porter

Robert “Bob” Porter was born on November 7, 1928, in La Porte, Indiana. His parents divorced when he was young and he was sent, along with his older brother, Sandy, to live with his grandmother. This was a very difficult season of life as Bob lacked parental attention and direction. Eventually his mother remarried, and he went to live with his mom and stepfather as a teenager.

Bob graduated from Woodbury College in Los Angeles, with a degree in accounting. It was at Woodbury that he met his wife, Colene Hornecker, and the two would be married for almost 70 years. Bob and Colene had four boys, Christopher, Donald, Randall, and Robert. Although Bob had a difficult upbringing, he chose to be a different kind of father for his children. Rather than following the pattern of being an absentee parent, he chose to be engaged with his four boys and to support their various interests and endeavors. This choice made a great impact on their lives.

Bob worked a few years in the lumber industry for his uncle, and then went to work for his stepfather at Atlas Lumber Company. Eventually he started his own company where he was a manufacturing representative, a salesman representing a hardwoods company, softwood company, plywood, and a moulding company. He was very successful, and his greatest work passion was always sales.

Eventually Bob branched out to begin his own softwoods company, California Timberline. He and his two partners built a very successful company in Chino, California, eventually offering softwoods, hardwoods, milling, and moulding.

Bob grew up sailing and this would be a consistent love for him. He also enjoyed playing tennis and golf. Bob and Colene loved to go dancing and they enjoyed taking cruises together. They provided numerous family cruises for their children and grandchildren as well.

Bob is survived by his four sons and their wives, fourteen grandchildren, and eighteen great-grandchildren.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.pacificviewcalifornia.com for the Porter family.