Robert B. Davies

Feb. 10, 1928-Dec. 16, 2017

Robert B. Davies, 89, of El Cajon, CA died Dec. 16, 2017. Bob was born in Beaver Dam, WI and lived in Superior, WI for much of his childhood. He attended high school in Eau Claire, WI and worked on forestry crews in Priest River, ID during summer vacations. After high school, Bob attended Eau Claire State Teachers College, now UW-Eau Claire, where he majored in math. His father, W. R. Davies, was college president.

Bob met his future wife, Jean Backus, while they were college students in Eau Claire. Bob graduated in 1949, and the couple married after Jean graduated in 1950. Bob attended graduate school at Colorado State College in Greeley, CO and earned his master's degree in Elementary Supervision in 1953. After teaching public school in Stevens Point, WI, Bob and Jean were hired by the San Diego Unified School District and moved to San Diego, CA. In 1954, Bob began his 29-year career with the Cajon Valley Union School District as an elementary school teacher at John Ballantyne School in El Cajon. He completed additional graduate work at USC and San Diego State College and was promoted to principal in 1958, eventually serving at Emerald, Chase Ave., Meridian, Johnson Ave., and Anza schools.

Bob had a lifelong love of sports. He had many happy memories of swimming and fishing at the family cabin on Lake Minnesuing in northern WI. Bob played forward on high school and college basketball teams, and his favorite shot was a left-handed hook. He also played on high school and college tennis teams. During the 1960s, he played in a slow pitch softball league with fellow teachers and administrators in El Cajon. After the Singing Hills Tennis Club opened in the mid-1970s, Bob played tennis several times a week and participated in many tournaments, often with Jean as his mixed doubles partner. In retirement, Bob and Jean enjoyed Elderhostel travel tours that combined learning opportunities with tennis or other sports. Bob continued playing tennis into his early 80s and also played golf, usually at Cottonwood Golf Course in El Cajon, until he was 88.

We remember Bob for his sense of humor, creativity, and integrity. He continues to be an inspiration to loved ones, friends, and former students. Bob was pre-deceased by his wife of 56 years, Jean B. Davies, and his two sisters, Kathryn Davies and Dorothy Reish. Survivors include his daughters, Jane Davies of Bonita, CA and Barbara Stadelli of La Mesa, CA; granddaughters, Kimberly and Vanessa Olson-Vargas of Bonita, and nephews, Bob Reish of Hawaii and Bill Reish of Santa Barbara, CA.

In accordance with Bob's wishes, no services were held.