Robert "Bob" James Sullivan, 72, a retired 30-year employee of Rocketdyne International and a resident of Port Hueneme, went home to his father in heaven on Saturday, Dec. 24, 2005.

He was a loving husband and a proud father, as well as a proud grandfather.

Bob was a farm boy, born in Flint, Mich., on Nov. 21, 1933. After high school, he began building Buicks at General Motors. He continued his education at the University of Michigan and General Motors Technology. In 1963, with an associate degree in electrical technology and five years of experience in quality assurance at General Motors, he began his career at Rocketdyne International, California, in metrology. He worked in the same department, calibrating and maintaining electrical standards for the space program, for more than 30 years.

In attempting to return something to the society that he said was good to him, he volunteered his time in the three different towns that he lived in. In Canoga Park, Bob was an active deacon at Christ Community Church. He volunteered many hours in convalescent homes, for the Salvation Army, with Harbor Light on Skid Row, and with the Christian Jail Workers, encouraging inmates at Wayside Maximum Security Prison to turn their lives around to Jesus.

While living in Valencia, Bob and Clara Mae married and were active in the Village Church. Bob joined Clara, working together with the Lord's Bus, taking clothes and gifts to Mexico in their ministry of the Lord. They also volunteered hours at the Harbor Light on Skid Row. They were active with child evangelism, and he was active in the prison ministries. Bob and Clara enjoyed traveling together to many parts of the world.

While living in Port Hueneme, Bob was an active trustee and honorary member of the women's ministry at Bethany Chapel in El Rio. He was loved and appreciated for his service to others in need at the church. He was involved with the men's mission in Oxnard. He was also a school board member for West Valley Christian Academy in Winnetka, Calif.

Bob had many interests, including coin collecting, ham radio, bicycling, and hiking. His favorite times were spent with his family, and walking with his wife. He taught his children well about being truthful, appreciative, loving, and compassionate with others. He was a great man and will be remembered and loved forever by his family and by people who knew him.

He was preceded in death by his mother, Mildred L. Sullivan of Flint, Mich.

Robert is survived by his father, William H. Sullivan, and his loving wife of 11 years, Clara Mae Sullivan. Bob had two brothers, Bill Sullivan and his wife, Eileen, of Sherman Oaks, and Don Sullivan and his wife, Sherry, of Brandon, Fla. He had a loving, close sister, Dolores, and her husband, Robert Bueche. Bob also leaves three of his loving children, James Sullivan and his wife, Linda, Kathryn Hansen, and Sharon Ives and her husband, Garry.

Bob loved his three children and six grandchildren and was active in their lives. Justin, Nicole and Ethan Amberson, as well as Brian, Jeremy, and Kyle Ives, all loved their grandpa, and they are comforted that he is in heaven. Bob was respected and loved by his stepchildren, Jo Ann and her husband, Darrell Troy, Richard and wife Karin Binder, and Jeanne and her husband, Joe Neary. He was also an important role model "Grand Bob" to his stepgrandchildren, who loved him dearly, including Jim Sullivan's stepdaughter, Ashley, as well as Ricky, Steven, and Matthew Binder, and Priscilla and Danica; and step-grandchildren, Alysa and Ryan McCarter and Bobby and Kelly Neary.

There will be a service to celebrate Bob's life, that he shared with all of us, at 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 31, at Bethany Chapel Church, 1076 Stroube St., in El Rio. There will be food served at the church, by the women's ministries, immediately after the service. Interment will be at Forrest Lawn in Glendale.

In place of flowers, please send donations to Bethany Chapel Church.


Published in the Ventura County Star from 12/28/2005 - 12/31/2005.