Robert Leroy Stoddard, Sr. (known mostly by his nickname Bob) was born January 30, 1919 on a farm in Tipton County, Indiana to John and Christina Stoddard. He grew up on a big farm raising many fruits, vegetables, and wheat. His favorite crop was tomatoes. He loved to travel - especially to World Fairs; he even managed to attend the New York World's Fair during the Depression using $100 of his own hard-earned money.
Bob joined the Navy at age 23 to serve his beloved U.S.A. in WWII and was awarded a Victory Medal. While in the navy, he traveled extensively and eventually met his future wife Taffy in the Samoan Islands. He was very fond of the Polynesian people and culture; his favorite Samoan food was Palusami.
Bob completed his tour of duty in 1945 and later moved to Costa Mesa, CA. He worked as a Research Chemist and Chemical Engineer for Goodyear Atomic, Hughes Aircraft, and Autonetics. He enjoyed Chemistry and received recognition for accomplishing what was previously thought impossible as well as helping to put the first man on the moon.
Bob later earned his Master’s Degree in Education and became a teacher for the L.A. Unified School District. Bob was also active in the Veterans of Foreign Wars and the Freedom Committee of Orange County, CA.
Bob has been a proud member of Christ Lutheran Church, Costa Mesa for over 50 years and is preceded in death by his wife Taffy. Bob is survived by his six children: Michael, Raymond, Jim, Bob Jr., Debra and Marilyn; eight grandchildren: David, Leilani, Marissa, Ryan, Michelle, Kathleen, Tony and Taffy; as well as eight great-grand children: Matthew, Abigail, Aiden, Cadence, Alyssa, Stephen, James and David.
Funeral Services will be held on Saturday, November 2, 2013 at 1:00 p.m. at Christ Lutheran Church, 760 Victoria St., Costa Mesa, CA 92627. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to Christ Lutheran Church, Costa Mesa
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