Robert David Groeneveld

Robert “Bob” David Groeneveld Jr. 89, passed away May 2, 2013, with his family by his side at his home in Camarillo, California, after complications with the advance stages of Alzheimer’s. He was born in Joliet, Illinois, February 10, 1924 to Robert D. Groeneveld and Elsie (Horn) Groeneveld. As a young child Bob loved to ice skate and play with his childhood friends in Joliet, even at a young age Bob was in the mix of history, he told stories of meeting then would be Presidents Hoover and President F.D. Roosevelt on their campaign trains passing through Joliet. He was in the group of men and women who happened to be living in a tumultuous time of the Great Depression and the Second World War that, not only changed their lives in unique ways, but also affected the course of mankind for the following generations. This generation was united not only by a common purpose, but also by common values--duty, honor, economy, courage, service, love of family and country, and, above all, responsibility for oneself. Bob ventured off from Illinois to follow his dream to become a pilot, he loved airplanes and wanted to fly them. He joined the Navy in 1942 and became a Naval Aviator flying PBM-5 Mariner Seaplanes during World War II and the Korea War. He always had a great story to tell of his time in the Navy from landing his PBM-5 on the Huangpu (Whangpoa) River, Shanghai, China, to taking off from Coronado Bay, San Diego for a 24-hour flight to Hawaii using celestial navigation. He even had seen the Trinity Atomic bomb test while on the train on his way to San Diego reporting for duty and his fond memories boxing matches while in flight school and getting “his bell ringed” one time. After WWII, Bob attended University of Colorado, Boulder Colorado, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering. Bob served in the Navy again during the Korean War from June 1952 to October 1953. After the Navy, Bob then set his sights on becoming an Astronaut and went to work for NASA, at the George C. Marshall Space Flight Center, Huntsville, Alabama working for Wernher von Braun on the Apollo Propulsion Program. Bob made a career here, he did get his name on the list to become an Astronaut, but retirement came before his name was called. He had a prestigious career of 24 years working for NASA on the Apollo Program and Skylab; if you are ever at White Sands Missile Range, you can find his initials carved into a stone at Launch Complex 36 along with Mr. von Braun’s. Bob wasn’t ready for retirement; so after a career with NASA, he then decided to join the Peace Corps. Bob really did not know where they would send him, or much cared, since he had seen so much of the world while in the Navy. Well, the Peace Corps sent him to Honduras, he never could figure it out, and especially since he didn’t speak Spanish at that time and we would tell him it was to find the love of his life! Yes, this is where he met his soul mate, Elba and her two children. It was certainly love at first sight as he told the story to anyone willing to listen, and each time he told it, it was with tears of joy. Bob, was a kind, generous, loving and caring husband. He would always hold Elba’s hand, and affectionately called her “EL” and she would call him “Don Roberto”. He was a true gentleman, with the biggest heart. She was always his sweetheart and he loved her dearly. They were not only husband and wife, but very best of friends for those inseparable 33 years they shared together. They traveled everywhere together in those early years, and always enjoyed drinking coffee together and sharing a sweet pastry. Bob loved people and loved to have a good time, he was a humble and gentle giant. Bob had such an abundant life, filled with so many great opportunities and he did contribute tremendously to modern America and our space program. He loved to read, and like all engineers peddle around in the garage, listen to classical music, and loved going for long rides on his bicycle. Bob loved spending time with his family and his greatest joy was his children and grandchildren; they brought so much love and laughter to his life. He always said the Peace Corps was the best thing he ever did and could not imagine life if he had not gone. He was such a wonderful man and he will be dearly missed by his family, friends, and neighbors. He lived on this earth and left a wonderful example to us all of how to live a life of duty, honor, economy, courage, service, love of family and country, and, above all, kindness and generosity. He is preceded in death by his father Robert D. Groeneveld and mother Elsie (Horn) Groeneveld of Joliet, Illinois and three sisters Phyllis of Joliet, Illinois, Gladys and Arlene, of Albuquerque, NM. Bob will be deeply missed by his wife Rosa “Elba” Groeneveld of 33 years, his stepson Porfirio A. Dubón and wife Jennifer of Oxnard, California and stepdaughter Alma E. Dubón of Ogden, Utah. He adored his beloved granddaughters, Kelsie Dubón, and Jacqueline Dubón, and grandson Zachary Dubón. He had two children from a previous marriage, daughter Gail Groeneveld and son David Groeneveld. A memorial to celebrate Bob's life will be held Wednesday, May 28th, 10 a.m. at the Perez Family Funeral Home, 1347 Del Norte Road in Camarillo, California. His burial will be May 29th, noon at the Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery, 1800 Cabrillo Memorial Dr, San Diego, CA 92106.