Robert Cornelius Penner

He was born on August 16, 1926, in Reedley, Ca. to Cornelius and Tina Penner. His father was a principal and teacher and his mom was busy raising six children. They were a staunch Mennonite family, raised with good values and lots of love from mom and a stern hand from dad.

Bob loved the trumpet and had the fortune to play hymns every Sunday after church on a local radio station. In 1945 the war called. Bob served as Seaman First Class on the aircraft carrier U.S.S. Ticonderoga in the South Pacific Theater.

Bob attended Reedley High School and Reedley College and received a B.S. degree in Civil Engineering from University of California, Berkeley. He soon began a very successful career in the Central Valley and San Francisco Bay Area. He retired as the Director of Public Works for the city of San Pablo in 1977 allowing him to spend more time on his favorite interest, gardening. He also remained active in the professional field through his private consulting practice well into the 1990s.

Bob took great pride in his vegetable gardens through the years and would always treat visitors to an extended talk of his latest crop. He was an avid cook, using his homegrown tomatoes, potatoes, beans, and onions to make a variety of hearty soups.

Bob was preceded in death by his beloved wife Charlotte; brother Dan; and great- grandchild Benny.

He is survived by his four children, Patty Hunsicker, Robert "Jerry" Penner, Lynda Page and Brad Penner; brother Bill; sisters, Marian Jones, Alice Isaac and Barbara Langhofer; three grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.

A Memorial Service will be held at Stephens & Bean Chapel, in Fresno on Sunday, August 5, 2012, at 3:00 p.m. Burial Service will be at St. Joseph's Cemetery in San Pablo.

Donations in lieu of flowers may be made to the Historical Society, 13831 San Pablo Ave., San Pablo Ca. 92806, where Bob and Charlotte were active members.