Mr. Manuel Robert "Bob" Mendoza

Manuel Robert Bob Mendoza, 86, was born on August 28, 1927 in Los Angeles, California, to William and Lupe Mendoza. Addressed by his middle name, Robert was raised in Huntington Park, California, and graduated from Huntington Park High School in 1945, at the age of 17.



Just a few months following his graduation, he enlisted in the United States Navy on August 11, 1945, and served during World War II. He was Honorably Discharged on August 6, 1946, earning the rank of Seaman First Class, and was awarded the World War II Victory Medal. After his military service, he met and married Virginia Lopez on August 2, 1947, in his home church, El Buen Pastor, in Los Angeles, California. The couple had five daughters and raised their family in Norwalk, California.



In the 1950s Robert earned a Bachelor of Science degree from UCLA. His love of learning moved him to further his education. In 1979 Robert received a Masters degree in Business Administration from California State University - Dominguez Hills, and five years later he earned his second Masters degree in General Psychology from Pepperdine University. Professionally, Robert worked as an aeronautical engineer for various aerospace companies such as Rockwell, Boeing, Lockheed-Martin and Northrop Grumman. Some of his engineering projects included Rockwells commission to the first space capsule, development of the hydraulics system for the L10-11 airliner, member of the engineering team for the development of the Shelby Cobra Race car in 1962, participation in the programmed missile launches at Vandenberg Air Force Base, and then, in 1997, he retired upon the completion of his last assignment for Northrop Grummans B-2 Bomber (aka Stealth Bomber). Upon retirement he spent 10 years applying his training in psychology as a volunteer, providing counseling services to those with little financial means.



Robert had many hobbies. He loved long-distance swimming, jogging and singing. He was known to enjoy and pursue good meals, too! Robert loved music, and for 17 years he sang the first tenor voice with the world-renowned, bilingual Cuarteto Hemn/Heman Quartet. He also played the baritone horn in church orchestras. Robert was a man of faith and served as a youth leader, Sunday school teacher, counselor, lay minister, and board member at several churches, including El Buen Pastor, La Puerta Abierta, First Family Church and My Friends House.



Robert was promoted to Heaven on June 9, 2014, in Ojai, California. His beloved surviving family includes his loving wife of 67 years, Virginia; his five daughters and sons-in-law, Yvonne (Timothy) Persons, Yolanda (Jim) Ortiz, Katherine Mendoza, Bobbie (David) Tucker, and Anna (Eric) Olson; his twelve grandchildren; fourteen great grandchildren; two great-great grandchildren and many dearly loved extended-family members and friends.



A viewing for family and friends will be hosted on Thursday, June 26, 2014, from 5:00PM to 9:00PM at White Emerson Mortuary, 13304 Philadelphia St., Whittier, California. His Celebration of Life Service will be held on Friday, June 27, 2014 at Grace Community Assembly of God Church, 7106 Sorensen Ave., Whittier, California. A pre-service viewing will begin at 9AM with the service at 10AM at the church. Interment will immediately follow the service at Rose Hills Memorial Park, Whittier. Family and friends are invited to return to the church for a reception following the interment.



In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to be sent in Roberts name to The Cuarteto Hemn/Heman Quartet Restoration Project, c/o RYTMO (Reaching Youth Through Music Opportunities), 1007 E. North Street, Anaheim, CA 92805, or on-line at www.rytmo.org. Friends may also donate through www.facebook.com/CuartetoHeman, click on the DONATE tab at the top-center just below the banner picture. Your gifts are sincerely appreciated. Thank you!