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Robert Kealhofer Obituary
November 17, 1924 - November 13, 2010
Robert Magill Kealhofer, Sr., died November 13, 2010, shortly before his 86th birthday. A former senior executive for Northrop Aircraft in Human Resources/Industrial Relations, he ran Human Resources for a Northrop joint venture in Iran and later for Northrop in Saudi Arabia.
Born in Birmingham, Alabama and raised in Texas, he trained as a B25 bomber during WWII, flying long range weather missions in the China-Burma-India theatre. His aircrew liaised with Chinese Communist forces to help rescue downed air crews from Japanese-held Northern China, and he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross and the Air Medal for his service.
After the war he returned to study at the University of Texas at Austin (grad 1950), where in April, 1946 he married Susan Elizabeth Henry, a fellow student. Following his retirement in 1980, he and Susan traveled widely from their home in Palos Verdes.
Friendly, even-tempered and tolerant, he was warmly regarded by colleagues, and respected and loved by his family and friends. He was a natural leader who never had to do it his way, who led by example, always ready to pitch in and do more than his share. He was invariably fair, inclusive and diplomatic, never petty. Always handy, he built his own vacation home and made furniture for his family. A natural athlete, he played beach volleyball, softball, basketball, tennis and golf.
He is survived by his wife, his three children, Robert, Stephen and Lisa, and his four grandchildren, Catherine, David, Robert and Margaret. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made either to the Community Outreach Program of the Neighborhood Church (415 Paseo Del Mar, Palos Verdes Estates, CA 90274) for the benefit of the Sunshine School project, a school program for girls in Afghanistan, or to Harbor Interfaith Shelter & Services, 670 W. 9th St., San Pedro, CA 90731.
There will be a memorial service for friends and family on December 10, 2010 at 12pm at the Palos Verdes Neighborhood Church.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Robert Kealhofer
1 Entry
Jim Briscoe
December 9, 2010
Bob was a good friend of my father, Fred Briscoe, for many years. They worked together in Personnel at Northrop for many years, but there was a friendship beyond the confines of work. My first contact with Bob was playing softball in the Northrop league in the late 60's. In the early 70's the purchase of the Tuolumne property by Bob, Fred, George Richards and Williard Hall, ushered in a whole new chapter. I enjoyed those trips and always felt that Bob was sort of the Troop Leader. He knew how to be serious and knew how to have fun. It was like a reunion when Bob came to Iran and he, Fred and myself went out to dinner. Bob always came across as the genuine article. It was a pleasure to have known him. He will be missed. My prayers are with Susan and the family. God Bless, Jim Briscoe
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