Robert John Solem

Solem, Robert John
Robert John Solem passed away suddenly on April 22, 2014. Born in Chicago, IL Bob moved to Scottsdale in 1957. He earned a BS (University of Ill.) and Master's Degree (Northwestern) in Electrical Engineering. Bob's professional life was marked as much by its diversity as by its successes. He started his career as a Naval Research Laboratory engineer and later rapidly ascended Motorola management ranks where he rose to become one of Motorola's youngest corporate vice-presidents, heading up the 8500-person Government Electronic Group. Bob then entered venture capital, with his many successes leading him to form Quantum Partners with Walmart heir, John Walton. Finally Bob co-founded with Ron McCallister, CrestCom Inc., a wireless firm developing intellectual property to increase performance while simultaneously greatly reducing power consumption. Bob was a consummate professional, mentoring those under him with wisdom and grace. Bob served on many non-profit boards and was the president of the 1987-88 Scottsdale chamber of commerce. However his greatest contribution was to the relationships he nurtured with his family, friends, coworkers, tennis partners and canine friends. Bob was a great man who inspired others with his integrity, wisdom, warmth, intellectect and love. He lived his life to the fullest up to the day he died. His love will forever live on in the many lives he touched. Family always came first and he will be profoundly missed by his survivors; wife Beth Cummings-Solem (originally from Ames IA), daughters Pam Solem-Weser (Jim ), Kristi Hatfield (Matt), and sons Mark (Barb), Kurt (Marianne) nine grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. As a tribute to Bob's love of dogs, in lieu of flowers the family suggests donations be made to Arizona Animal Welfare League (aawl.org).