Robert Lee Fairman

He lived there until the age of nine, when his family moved to Southern California. His father Lyle was an executive chef and worked for various hotels, eventually settling his family in the Los Angeles area. Bob was an only child and enjoyed visiting his father at his hotels, often swimming in the pools during the summer.

Lyle and Florence purchased a home in West Los Angeles, so Bob attended nearby Los Angeles Alexander Hamilton High School. Bob became active in student government, where he developed a strong passion for government and the law. Over the years, Bob remained involved with its alumni association, attending numerous reunions and staying in contact with several classmates. Following graduation, he attended the University of Southern California where he joined the Delta Sigma Phi fraternity and in1957 he earned a degree in Economics. He then graduated from the USC School of Law in 1960, cementing his allegiance to the Trojans cardinal and gold.

Following a stint in the U.S. Army, where he served as a clerk and a rank of E4, he was admitted to the California Bar in June 1963 and then worked for the City of Los Angeles as a prosecutor.

Prior to his Army deployment, he met Marjorie Eischen. While apart, the two regularly connected via letters (more than 40 known), and upon his return, they married in August 1962. They purchased a house in 1965 in the Silver Lake area, and soon after, they welcomed their first child, Greg, followed by Jeff in 1967.

Having outgrown their home, Robert and Marjorie in 1967 purchased a new home in the Round Top community of Eagle Rock, where they raised their two sons and became active in various community organizations.

In 1970, Robert opened his own law practice in downtown Los Angeles, where he practiced law for more than 60 years, developing a stellar reputation among trial court judges as a skilled, patient and fair mediator and strategist at the local, state and national levels. Representing both as plaintiff’s counsel and as defense counsel, Robert specialized in environmental litigation, major business and commercial disputes and matters involving insurance coverage, employment practices and major product liability cases.

Along with the practice of law, Bob’s other true passions were his family and friends. He also enjoyed fishing and family trips. With the boys out of the house, Bob and Marjorie traveled often. Highlights included an African safari and an Alaskan cruise.

Bob died peacefully July 27.

He is preceded in death by his wife Marjorie (55 years of marriage) and their son Jeff.

He is survived by his eldest son Greg, daughter-in-law Christi, and two grandchildren, Chloe and Landon.