Robert Douglas Lawson

1919 - 2014

Lawson, Robert Douglas

October 27, 1919 - August 17, 2014

Robert Douglas Lawson was born October 27, 1919, in San Francisco, CA, to Ida Marie (Pat) (Carson) and Henry Spencer Lawson II. Although he was raised in Beverly Hills, CA, Bob's happiest times were the pleasant summers spent with his older brother Henry Spencer Lawson III (Spence) in Pierce, Idaho, with their much adored Aunt Vida, Aunt Dot, and Uncle Crombie Bergoine (aka Uncle Jack, aka Unk.)

Bob was a proud member of the United States Merchant Marines. While serving in WWII, he crash-landed in Africa in 1944. Happily, Bob and the rest of the crew walked away from the wreckage without major injuries.

After the war, in his position as assistant to Howard Hughes, Bob did everything from chauffeuring movie stars such as Ava Gardner, to delivering the many newly acquired automobiles.

By coincidence, Bob's wife was also a Lawson. Although she was christened Eleanor Jeanne Lawson, Bob lovingly nicknamed her Christopher (Chris). Bob met Chris at a photographer's studio where she was having publicity photos taken for her acting career. They married on July 25, 1953, and enjoyed a very happy life together living in the "Butter Tub", a quaint yellow beach house at Crystal Cove, until Chris died tragically of cancer on April 23, 1975. Chris was the love of Bob's life, and he plans to have her ashes placed on his chest when he is buried.

Bob, Chris, and Uncle Jack toured Europe in a Volkswagen bug in the late 1950's. The bug still resides on the property in Pierce.

One of Bob's passions was the restoration of the Lane Victory, which is based in Long Beach, California. Bob made numerous trips to Benicia to acquire salvage parts for his beloved ship. Bob was also ardent about the Scottish Highland Games. He attended games throughout the West Coast, proudly wearing one of his several MacLaren tartan kilts.

Bob is survived by niece, Holly Suzanne (Lawson) Patton and her husband David; nephew, Henry Spencer (Hank) Lawson IV and his wife Marcia; grand nephew, David Bishop Patton and his wife Marissa; grand nieces, Kimberly Suzanne (Patton) Teagarden and husband Matt, Fiona Elizabeth (Lawson) McCrea and husband Eric, and Jillian Aileen Lawson.