pLt. Colonel (Ret.) Robert Eugene Flora passed away on April 19, 2016. Robert was born on Feb. 5, 1931 in Watertown, New York, the second youngest of 11 children born to Italian immigrants Sebastian Vona (Frank Flora) and Alphonsina Berardinelli. /ppBob’s life was dedicated to his family, country and church. He met his one and only love in life, Wanda Ashcroft, on the tennis courts of Thompson Park. They married in 1952 and together raised 6 children born in 5 different states in 8 years./ppRobert earned a BA in Aeronautical Engineering from the Air Force Institute of Technology in 1959. He was a test pilot, served as a General’s Aide and became a flight instructor. Bob earned his MBA at the University of Southern California in 1965, and began a successful career as a Manager on Air Force Space Programs. He interrupted this work to serve a year in Vietnam during the war. Bob was decorated with the USAF Air Medal for 325 combat missions./ppUpon returning from Vietnam to Torrance, California he continued work on Manned Space Development. While living in Torrance he served on Torrance’s Parks and Recreation Commission and became very involved in community service, including Rotary and politics. He and Wanda developed many wonderful lifelong friendships over the years. /ppBob retired from the Air Force as a Lt. Colonel in 1974 and settled his family in Saratoga, California. There he worked at ESL Inc., retiring in 1993. He served on the Saratoga Parks and Recreation Commission and ran for City Council. He was the Past President of USC Alumni Assoc. in Santa Clara Valley, Past President of Saratoga Rotary, member of South Bay Civil War Roundtable, Knights of Columbus Council 4981, Senior Knight of Portola Assembly 49 and Past president of the Men’s Club of Church of the Ascension Catholic Church. /ppRobert is survived by daughters Roberta Poulin, Therese Webb, Marci Miller and sons Mark, Mike and Pat and their families. He also leaves behind his sister Gloria Carrubba, her family and many other nieces and nephews./ppBob’s family would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to all his caregivers including Maribeth and also the caring staff at Our Lady of Fatima Villa in Saratoga./ppIn lieu of flowers a donation made to any of the above mentioned organizations is appreciated./ppServices will be on April 30th at 10:30 AM at the Church of Ascension, Saratoga, CA. A vigil will be held on April 29th at 6:00PM at Alameda Family Mortuary in Saratoga./p
↧