Robert (Bob) Lee Lukavsky, 82, of La Verne, California, passed away on December 1, 2025. Born on May 20, 1943, in Washington, Iowa, he was the son of Edwin Leo Lukavsky and Anna Marie (Harbit) Lukavsky, and one of nine children.
Bob graduated from Brighton High School in Iowa in 1961. Shortly after, Bob married his high school sweetheart, Colleene Bueghly, in 1964, and they shared many years together until parting ways in 1995. Soon after marrying, they moved to California after flipping a coin—California or Florida—to start their lives in the sunshine.
Shortly after moving to California, Bob began what would become a lifelong career with Chevron. His journey started at a gas station, and within a week, a chance encounter with a customer who worked for Chevron led him to ask, "How can I work there?" That question opened the door to a 35-year career with Chevron, beginning on December 16, 1964. Bob worked in various capacities, including time in the oil fields and at a central location in La Habra, before retiring in 1999 from Platform Hidalgo, an offshore oil rig near Santa Barbara.
Outside of work, Bob had a passion for golf and proudly celebrated a hole-in-one during his best game. He also enjoyed antiques and collecting, always finding joy in discovering unique treasures. His love language was humor—Bob had a gift for making people laugh and never missed an opportunity to deliver a clever punchline. Bob also loved spending time with his many grandchildren.
On July 1, 1995, Bob married Janet Sue Lukavsky in Laguna Beach, California. Their marriage was a true partnership, marked by love, devotion, and care for one another. Janet was Bob's constant companion, and together they built a life filled with laughter and shared faith. On October 20, 2010, they were sealed for time and all eternity at the Los Angeles Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Bob was an active member of his faith and was ordained as a high priest on April 27, 2003.
He is survived by his loving wife, Janet Sue Lukavsky; sons Eric Lukavsky (Kristin), Tim Lukavsky (Zulema), and stepson Donald Osborne; eight grandchildren—Abbie, Macie, Zachary, Michael Lukavsky, Travis Thurston, Nathan (Melanie), Megan, and Kimberly Vincent (Shawn); five great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren. He is also survived by siblings Helen (Alan) Kurtz of Galena, IL; Joyce (Paul) Scranton of Ankeny, IA; and Dennis (Diane) Lukavsky of Clive, IA.
Bob was preceded in death by his parents; son Jeffery Robert Lukavsky; stepdaughter Diane Vincent; siblings Donald (Barb) Lukavsky, Shirley McGraw, Kenneth Lukavsky, Marge (Devon) Shrock, and Ruth (Mario) Barnhart; and granddaughter Ashley Osborne.
A funeral service will be held on Saturday, December 13, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. PST at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 2645 Amherst St, La Verne, CA 91750. Burial will follow at Oak Park Cemetery, 410 Sycamore Ave, Claremont, CA 91711. A luncheon for family and friends will be held immediately after the burial at the same church location.
In lieu of flowers, the family invites you to bring your favorite photos of Bob to display during the service.*
*Please arrive early if you plan to bring photos.
Bob graduated from Brighton High School in Iowa in 1961. Shortly after, Bob married his high school sweetheart, Colleene Bueghly, in 1964, and they shared many years together until parting ways in 1995. Soon after marrying, they moved to California after flipping a coin—California or Florida—to start their lives in the sunshine.
Shortly after moving to California, Bob began what would become a lifelong career with Chevron. His journey started at a gas station, and within a week, a chance encounter with a customer who worked for Chevron led him to ask, "How can I work there?" That question opened the door to a 35-year career with Chevron, beginning on December 16, 1964. Bob worked in various capacities, including time in the oil fields and at a central location in La Habra, before retiring in 1999 from Platform Hidalgo, an offshore oil rig near Santa Barbara.
Outside of work, Bob had a passion for golf and proudly celebrated a hole-in-one during his best game. He also enjoyed antiques and collecting, always finding joy in discovering unique treasures. His love language was humor—Bob had a gift for making people laugh and never missed an opportunity to deliver a clever punchline. Bob also loved spending time with his many grandchildren.
On July 1, 1995, Bob married Janet Sue Lukavsky in Laguna Beach, California. Their marriage was a true partnership, marked by love, devotion, and care for one another. Janet was Bob's constant companion, and together they built a life filled with laughter and shared faith. On October 20, 2010, they were sealed for time and all eternity at the Los Angeles Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Bob was an active member of his faith and was ordained as a high priest on April 27, 2003.
He is survived by his loving wife, Janet Sue Lukavsky; sons Eric Lukavsky (Kristin), Tim Lukavsky (Zulema), and stepson Donald Osborne; eight grandchildren—Abbie, Macie, Zachary, Michael Lukavsky, Travis Thurston, Nathan (Melanie), Megan, and Kimberly Vincent (Shawn); five great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren. He is also survived by siblings Helen (Alan) Kurtz of Galena, IL; Joyce (Paul) Scranton of Ankeny, IA; and Dennis (Diane) Lukavsky of Clive, IA.
Bob was preceded in death by his parents; son Jeffery Robert Lukavsky; stepdaughter Diane Vincent; siblings Donald (Barb) Lukavsky, Shirley McGraw, Kenneth Lukavsky, Marge (Devon) Shrock, and Ruth (Mario) Barnhart; and granddaughter Ashley Osborne.
A funeral service will be held on Saturday, December 13, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. PST at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 2645 Amherst St, La Verne, CA 91750. Burial will follow at Oak Park Cemetery, 410 Sycamore Ave, Claremont, CA 91711. A luncheon for family and friends will be held immediately after the burial at the same church location.
In lieu of flowers, the family invites you to bring your favorite photos of Bob to display during the service.*
*Please arrive early if you plan to bring photos.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Robert Lukavsky, please visit our flower store.
Robert Lukavsky's Guestbook
Visits: 318
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the
Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Service map data © OpenStreetMap contributors