Lasting Memories

Robert Stanley Carey
May 10, 1927-Feb. 26, 2014
Portola Valley, California

Submitted by Theresa W. Carey

Robert S. (Bob) Carey passed away in Portola Valley, peacefully at home after a short illness. Bob was a beloved husband of more than 66 years to his wife, Myrtle (Myrt) Ciprian Carey. He was a loving father and mentor to his five children (and their spouses), Robert (Vance) of Watsonville, Kent (Theresa) of Palo Alto, Dawn (Stephen Schaniel) of Los Gatos, Paul (Natasha) of Mountain View and Glen (Lynn) of Palo Alto.

Bob was much loved by his 10 grandchildren and two step-granchildren, Kyle (Kelly), Kenneth, Colleen, Kate, Stephanie Schaniel, Stacie Schaniel, Clay, Kristen, Philip, Elizabeth, Nick Tuosto (Sarah) and Jessica Tuosto. He was a devoted brother to Dorothy Howe.

Bob was born in Kansas City, Mo. and raised in Chicago, Ill., where he met Myrt in their early teens. Myrt and Bob married in November 1947 and moved to Ann Arbor, Mich., where in 1952, he received Bachelor of Science degrees in Metallurgical and Chemical Engineering from the University of Michigan. Bob moved from Michigan to California to work for Union Oil as a refinery corrosion engineer shortly after graduation. In 1958, he became involved in the aerospace industry at Aerojet, first in San Ramon and then in Southern California to participate in the Space Race. When Voyager didn?t see life on Mars, Bob turned his engineering talents to the medical research instruments industry, working at Beckman Instruments in Palo Alto as Chief Metallurgical Engineer and moving his family to Ladera in Portola Valley.

Bob had a passion for reading, playing racquetball and golf, traveling the world, watching Giants baseball and attending college football games. He also enjoyed attending his children and grandchildren?s many activities, including numerous sports, performances and plays. He was head umpire for Alpine Little League in the late 1960s. Bob was an Elk from 1976 through 2004. After retiring in 1991 from Beckman, he spent many pleasant Tuesdays as a golf marshall at the Stanford Golf Course until last year.

Foremost, Bob was a loving, lifelong companion to Myrt. His legacy is that of a mentor with a strong moral compass, who led by example with warmth and grace.

From Bob & Shirley Beaudreau
March 28, 2014

Bob and I worked together in the Corrosion Inspection Department at Union Oil in Rodeo, Ca. in the early 50s We enjoyed the Reunions Bob and Myrt put together. Enjoyed many golf games together. God bless Myrt and Family.

From Fred Pisturino
March 16, 2014

Bob A Great MAN! Thank you for what you did for me, and my career at Beckman, you were such a great mentor to me, teaching me,and you had confidence in me, I have such great memories working with you. and learned so much from you. I will miss seeing you at the lunches, but you are there in spirit,and in my thoughts thats for sure,, Fred Pisturino Beckman Instruments Spinco 35 Great YEARS Great Company

From Ron Richards (Mr. Richards)
March 7, 2014

Dear Myrt and Children, Long time since 8th grade. So sorry for the loss of your husband and father. I would love to see you all and be there but alas I'm a 24/7 caregiver for my wife. My deepest sympathies to you all. Ron

From Daniel B. Johnson
March 4, 2014

40 years ago I was involved in a criminal matter while in grad school fueled by excessive drink. This man drove over 5 hours one-way to show the court his support of me. People who would do this form a club of one. A finer man will never grace the earth.

From Robin Cunningham
March 4, 2014

A benevolent soul, a great grandfather to my nieces, a family man all the way. A good life well lived and a lucky family.

From Theresa Carey
March 3, 2014

Myrt and Bob at their 60th wedding anniversary celebration, November 2007.