Robert Francis Mawhinney

1928 - 2017

Robert Francis Bert' Mawhinney April 26, 1928 - May 19, 2017 La Jolla Robert Francis (Bert) Mawhinney, 89, passed away Friday, May 19, 2017 at Scripps Memorial Hospital, following a brief illness.Bert was born in Washington DC. At the age of 16, he got his aircraft pilot's license for his birthday. He graduated from St. John's College High School in Washington DC. In 1947, he received the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Medal as recognition of excellence in scientific and mathematical studies. He then went on to attend Rensselaer, Troy, NY graduating in 1951 with a BS Aeronautical Engineering.He met his wife Anne through her brother and they were married in July 1955. They moved to California where he was employed by Convair for 23 years. His last assignment was as project manager for the Guidance System to the Tomahawk Cruise Missile. In 1978, he started Xscribe after watching Anne dictate her court reporting notes at night. He invented an optical reader and computer system for court reporters and his company transformed that industry. Xscribe's computerized steno machine was the beginning of the real-time court proceedings and closed captioning for the deaf that we have today. In his retirement, Bert spent 10 years building an experimental amphibian aircraft called the Glass Goose. He enjoyed flying his plane into his 80's. He also enjoyed tennis with the Kellogg Gang, duplicate bridge, traveling around the world and spending time with his family. He was a volunteer with the Mt. Soledad Memorial Association and was an avid reader and learner every day of his life.He lived his life to the fullest! Survived by his loving wife Anne of 62 years; sons, Steve and John (Elise); daughter, Eileen Williams (Ted); and grandchildren, Ashley Robichaud (Doug), Brett Williams (Nicole), Austin Williams, Ryan Mawhinney (Megan) and Stephanie Mawhinney; and great-grandchildren, Luke Robichaud and Grayson Mawhinney.A Mass to celebrate his life will take place at the Mary Star of the Sea in La Jolla, on Thursday, June 8, 2017, at 10am. Please sign the guest book online at legacy.com/obituaries/ lajollalight .