Robert Gene Lear, lover of life, devoted family man and enthusiastic tinkerer, born May 15, 1932 in San Diego, died January 15, 2021 in San Diego, from complications of COVID-19. He is survived by his children Russell Lear (Torrance CA), Gary Lear (Takoma Park MD), Sheryl Lear Shuminsky (Imperial Beach CA), and stepchildren Judy Steuk (VA) and Tim Stuek (Jamul CA), four grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his father, Robert W. Lear, his mother, M. Edith Lear, his sister Janet Lear and his wife Janet M. Lear.
If Bob Lear could be said to have had a motto, it might be something along the lines of “Let’s try it and see what happens!” Sometimes, that led to things like rocketing several eucalyptus trees into the sky with dynamite as a teenager; being chased off the ice by angry Zamboni driver; giving his young sons some coins in New York City and telling them to go play on the subway (his wife was not amused), or wiping snow off the windshield wipers in a blizzard while driving. Life with him was always interesting.
He tinkered with electronics and amateur radio, learned about computers from the ground up, learned chess and to pilot a glider, pitched pennies with friends, led the family on camping trips and played a wicked game of ping pong and tennis.
His love of gadgeting led to a career with IBM for 38 years, with an up-close view of the early days of the computer industry. He was active in the tennis communities in Boulder CO and Rancho Bernardo CA.
Although he lived in the desert (China Lake CA), eastern US (White Plains NY), suburbs of LA in the 1940’s (Westchester CA) and the relative wilds of San Antonio TX, his heart seems to have remained in Southern California where he has lived for the past 35 years.
The family appreciates the love and friendship from Tony Clark and Betty Ziegler, whose love and friendship sustained him through challenges over the last few years.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.goodbodymortuary.com for the Lear family.
SHARE OBITUARY
v.1.8.18