Please Feel Free To Leave A Comment Or A Memory You Had With Rob~
Robert L. Carpenter was born in February 1929 in Hollywood, Calif., and died Thursday, May 24, 2012. He grew up in San Luis Obispo and graduated from San Luis High School in 1946. He went on to UC Berkeley, where he was active in the Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity, ROTC and several other service organizations. He earned his degree in Civil Engineering in 1951. Bob married his high school sweetheart, Dora Serpa, in February of 1950, while she was a nursing student in San Francisco. Following graduation, they spent two years in The Panama Canal Zone, where Bob was stationed with the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers. Bob served 13 years in the U.S. Army and Army Reserve, where he was an accomplished marksman and had achieved the rank of Major. After completing his active Army service, they returned to San Luis to operate the family business, Hills Stationery and Hallmark Shops in San Luis Obispo, Morro Bay and Arroyo Grande. In 1959, Bob was elected Chairman of the SLO City Planning Commission and was chosen as the Most Outstanding Young Man of 1959 by the Chamber of Commerce. Bob was a longtime member of the Elks Lodge and an active member of the Rotary Club, Chamber of Commerce, Exchange Club and the Downtown Association. He was recognized for 50 years of service to the American Legion. An Eagle Scout, Bob generously volunteered his time for over 30 years with the Boy Scouts, Sea Scouts and the Order of the Arrow. He received the District Award of Merit in 2001. He also served Campfire USA for many years as a group sponsor, district board member and council board member. Bob loved music and enjoyed playing the trumpet, bugle and coronet. He played in several bands, including the Dreamers, San Luis Obispo County Band, a German polka band and most recently the White Caps. Bob is survived by his children and their spouses Mike and Jenny Carpenter, Dan and Sandy Carpenter, Stan Carpenter and Brent Vanderhoof and Cindy and David Zbin; 10 grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren; aunt, Vareene Langenbeck; two sisters-in-law, Mary Rexwinkle and Lucille and Joe Ferraro; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his wife of 60 years Dora Carpenter, in 2009; and parents, Merlyn and Bernice Carpenter.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Scholarship Fund, American Legion Post 66, 1661 Mill St., San Luis Obispo, CA 93401, or . Reis Family Mortuary 544-7400 San Luis Obispo