Warren Lovell
Remembering his laugh. His love for sushi. And him singing “Cookie…Cookie…lend me your comb”. San Fernando trips to visit the Witkop family after the earthquake in the early 70’s.
Till we meet again.
Warren Lovell
Birth date: May 9, 1940 Death date: Sep 26, 2016
Robert M. Witkop Jr., aged 76, died September 26, 2016, with his wife and family by his side in La Jolla, California. Bob (as we all lovingly know him by) was born May 9, 1940 in Detroit, Michigan to Eileen and Robert Witkop Sr. H Read Obituary
Remembering his laugh. His love for sushi. And him singing “Cookie…Cookie…lend me your comb”. San Fernando trips to visit the Witkop family after the earthquake in the early 70’s.
Till we meet again.
Warren Lovell
After graduating California State University Northridge, Bob came to work at Litton Data Systems, where he thrived as a software development engineer. Subsequent jobs took him to other companies and other locations, including the San Jose, California area, and Illinois, and eventually the San Diego area. Here he is pictured with myself, another good friend of Bob's (Russ Saigo) and another colleague from Litton. – Gene Montgomery
Yone and Yuki, our respective wives, met first at San Fernando dance class for our children, about 45 years ago. Through their acquaintance, the husbands, Bob Witkop and I met. It didn't take long for us to become friends. Bob was working at the San Fernando Veteran's Hospital in Sylmar as a laboratory technician, and I was an aerospace engineer. – friend of 45 years, Gene Montgomery
It was on a dive at Christmas Tree Cove at Palos Verdes Estates that Bob and I went through a memorable event. He had been boning up on the legal fish we could take, bag limits, etc., and had his fishing license in hand, and was ready to try spearfishing. It was on a return from a foray into the shallow waters of the cove that he encountered an extra large wave just as he was exiting the water. He was tossed off-balance, and the tip of the speargun he was carrying jammed into his inner thigh. He looked down and saw the blood gushing out of the hole in his wet suit, and knew he had to deal with the situation immediately. Now on the shore, he signaled me to get out of the water and to come and help him. I scrambled onto the shore and came to his aid. He had already taken measures to staunch the flow of blood, and he patiently explained to me what had happened, and that he would need help to get up the steep slope (about 170 feet up), to get to the car, parked on Paseo Del Mar. I was panicking, and I urged him to let me find a phone and call 911 to get an ambulance, but Bob insisted that he could handle the wound if I could get him and the gear up the cliff to the car. The next 15 minutes were hectic, hauling his gear and my gear up the trail, and then helping Bob to hobble up to Paseo Del Mar. Once in the car and on the road, Bob explained to me that he wanted to go to Dr. Sakaguchi's office. Apparently, Dr. Sakaguchi was the Witkop family doctor. But we were in Palos Verdes Estates, and Dr. Sakaguchi's office was in Pacoima, many miles away. Bob convinced me that he had a tourniquet and a small rock strategically placed so that his bleeding would be minimal, so I wasted no time driving him to Dr. Sakaguchi's office. The Dr. said that Bob had nicked his femoral artery, but that it would heal up properly, which eased our minds considerably. If I remember correctly, after that event, Bob switched to the somewhat less powerful, but perhaps safer arbolete pole spear, which many of us used. That spear has proven to be safer to use. – Gene Montgomery (regarding a particularly memorable dive in the 1970's)
I am so sad to hear the news of Bob's passing. I had the pleasure of working with Bob for over 3 years (2011-2014) thru Henry Elliott & Company. Bob was the epitome of a professional — very responsive, cheerful and full of great ideas! Above all he was very loyal as one of our top consultants and always represented us well. I will miss his sunny disposition. May his soul rest in peace and his memory forever be a blessing to all who knew him. With deepest sympathy, Lydia Borenstein
Bob's positive attitude always made me smile. Every time he came in the bike shop I would take time to chat about the good times on the bike. I loved his stories about bombing mountains, he was a descender. I know he is in a better place and he can ride his bike in the sky. My condolence -Jacob
You are in my thoughts. For some moments in life there are no words Some say? they know for certain that we never lose the people we love, even to death. They continue to participate in every act, thought and decision we make. They leave an indelible imprint in our memories. We find comfort in knowing that our lives have been enriched by having shared it. Uncle Bob didn?t tell me how to live; he lived, and let me watch him do it. I will always remember the times shared when visiting: days at the pool, dinners, the bike rides and boat rides. Sent with love and remembrance. Steven Witkop
I have many memories of Bob while taking care of his beloved Waterford bicycle. He will be missed.
I look back today on all that we've shared, there's nothing that I'd want to miss; not one smile, not one frown, not one up, not one down, not one word, not one touch, not one kiss… Love, your loving wife, Patty
A very happy and proud moment for Bob with his granddaughter who recently graduated high school.