Robert Nimmo

Robert Nimmo died Monday, Nov. 7, 2005, at his home in Atascadero. He was 83 years old.

A memorial Mass will be held at 11 a.m., Friday, Nov. 18 at St. Williams Catholic Church in Atascadero.

Known as "Bob," Robert Nimmo was born of a pioneer ranching family in Orange County, Calif, on Feb. 5, 1922. He graduated from Newport Harbor High School in 1940, where he was student body president his senior year. During his high school years, he was a frequent participant in local rodeos and roping contests.

Nimmo enrolled at California Polytechnic in the fall of 1940, majoring in meat animal production. A member of the Cal Poly Rodeo Team, he competed in local rodeos as well as college events.

Nimmo enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corps Reserve in the fall of 1942 and was ordered to active duty for pilot training in February 1943. After earning his pilot's wings in December 1943, 2nd Lt. Nimmo was assigned to bomber pilot training. He and his crew were later assigned to the 448th Bombardment Group, 8th U.S. Air Force, stationed in England. They flew missions over France and Germany before, during, and after the landing at Normandy on June 6, 1944.

After his release from active duty, Nimmo joined the California National Guard at Camp San Luis Obispo and subsequently became commanding officer of San Luis Obispo's 161 Ordnance Depot Company. While participating in a rodeo at Guadalupe, Calif. in 1949, Bob was introduced to Patricia Anne Stone of Santa Maria, a fourth generation Californian. They were married the following year.

In July 1950, following the invasion of South Korea, Nimmo was ordered to active duty and served in Korea as Ordnance Supply Officer, 7th Infantry Division. On his return from Korea, he rejoined the National

Guard at Camp San Luis, subsequently becoming installation commander. In 1968, Governor Ronald Reagan appointed him to the position of United States Property and Fiscal Officer for California.

In the fall of 1972, having achieved the rank of Colonel and after more than 25 years of military service, Nimmo retired in order to pursue his lifelong interest in politics. In the General Election in November 1972, Nimmo was elected to the California State Assembly to represent the 29th District and re-elected in 1974.

Following the retirement of Senator Don Grunsky of Watsonville in 1976, Nimmo was elected to represent the 17th Senatorial District, which was comprised of Santa Cruz, Monterey, and San Luis Obispo Counties, along with northern Santa Barbara County. Nimmo's senatorial service included positions on the Rules Committee, Finance Committee, and Agriculture Committee. He was a consistent and forceful voice for California agriculture.

In 1991, newly elected President Ronald Reagan nominated Nimmo to head the Department of Veteran's Affairs. The United States Senate confirmed his nomination and he served as V.A. Administrator for two years before returning to California.

In 1990, Bob Nimmo ran for, and was elected to the Atascadero City Council. He was elected Mayor of Atascadero in 1993. After serving two terms, and satisfied that a progressive and congenial City Council had been achieved, Nimmo did not run for re-election to the Council in the 1994 election. Although the decision brought an end to his political career, he remained active in Atascadero city politics until his death.

Mr. Nimmo was preceded in death by his beloved wife Patricia, and is survived by his daughter Mary Waldmann and son-in-law Raymond of Medina, Wash. and

Guard at Camp San Luis, subsequently becoming installation commander. In 1968, Governor Ronald Reagan appointed him to the position of United States Property and Fiscal Officer for California.

In the fall of 1972, having achieved the rank of Colonel and after more than 25 years of military service, Nimmo retired in order to pursue his lifelong interest in politics. In the General Election in November 1972, Nimmo was elected to the California State Assembly to represent the 29th District and re-elected in 1974.

Following the retirement of Senator Don Grunsky of Watsonville in 1976, Nimmo was elected to represent the 17th Senatorial District, which was comprised of Santa Cruz, Monterey, and San Luis Obispo Counties, along with northern Santa Barbara County. Nimmo's senatorial service included positions on the Rules Committee, Finance Committee, and Agriculture Committee. He was a consistent and forceful voice for California agriculture.

In 1991, newly elected President Ronald Reagan nominated Nimmo to head the Department of Veteran's Affairs. The United States Senate confirmed his nomination and he served as V.A. Administrator for two years before returning to California.

In 1990, Bob Nimmo ran for, and was elected to the Atascadero City Council. He was elected Mayor of Atascadero in 1993. After serving two terms, and satisfied that a progressive and congenial City Council had been achieved, Nimmo did not run for re-election to the Council in the 1994 election. Although the decision brought an end to his political career, he remained active in Atascadero city politics until his death.

Mr. Nimmo was preceded in death by his beloved wife Patricia, and is survived by his daughter Mary Waldmann and son-in-law Raymond of Medina, Wash. and