Lt Col Robert “Bob” Laurence Mitchell, U.S. Marine Corps (Retired), 87, passed away on September 11, 2021, at St. Joseph Hospital in Orange, California. Robert was born on October 9, 1933, in Sewanee, Tennessee.
He served more than 30 years in the U.S. Marines and was stationed in Korea and Vietnam. He was awarded the Bronze Star Medal in Vietnam on May 27, 1969 and retired after his service from Camp Pendleton in 1980.
As a civilian he worked for Orange County Transit District, currently known as OCTA, as manager of the Maintenance Department for 12 years. He retired early to take care of his wife Nora when she was diagnosed with cancer.
Robert was a true patriot with a conservative approach to life. His family remembers him as a loving and non-judgmental man who was always ready to lend an ear. He played his harmonica and enjoyed dance music. Bob never lost his curiosity for mechanical things and interest in improving his environment. He especially enjoyed eating seafood! Bob is survived by his second wife Alejandrina “Alice”, his daughters from first marriage Debby and husband Scott Wheeler, their children Robert “Bobby” and Kristeen, Joanne and her husband Jack Lesko and daughter Megan. He is also survived by his sister Margaret Morton and his stepdaughter Erika and her husband Scott Nelson.
Robert and Alice got married in 1995 where they lived in Southern California. Bob pursued a third career as quality control consultant for former OCTD co-worker Jerry Farrar in Budapest, Hungary. He also worked there with another OCTD person Larry Bailey who initially noticed Bob’s tremors.
In 2005 Robert was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease. This was a condition he bravely tried to conquer by seeing as many specialists as he could and tried out different treatments. He adapted a manageable lifestyle with Alice traveling to timeshare resorts and attending Friday night American Legion socials until he succumbed to his health condition that took his strength away down to his last breath that was sudden and unexpected at the Medical Telemetry Unit at St Joseph’s Hospital.
A private immediate family only viewing will be held at 12PM on Monday, September 27, 2021 prior to the graveside service which will commence at 1pm. Subsequently, on October 9, 2021, a Celebration of Bob’s Life will be held at his home at 3PM.
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