Robert L. Kollar

ROBERT L. KOLLAR Robert passed away peacefully on the night of November 17, 2014. He was grateful to have spent the previous weekend sharing food and stories with his family: Eve, his wife and constant companion of 58 years, his children (Laura, Bobby, and Jim), his daughter-in-law (Julie), and two of his four grandchildren (Wyatt and Dawson). Robert L. was the youngest of Robert and Eva Kollar's three kids-Louie, Anne, and "Babe" (as Robert L. was affectionately known). Growing up in post-depression Gary, Indiana, "Babe" worked in the steel mills (following in the footsteps of his parents) and fought his way as a Golden Glove National Boxing Champion to Louisiana State University where he competed on the university's boxing team and met the love of his life, Eva Anne. Shortly after graduation, the two were married and moved to California with an adventurous spirit that often accompanies those who "Go West." The two made a home in Southern California while Bob served a stint in the U.S. Air Force. Post-military service, Bob joined the United States Secret Service as a Special Agent, Eve gave birth to their first child, Laura, and shortly thereafter the family moved east to Washington, D.C., so Bob could continue to climb the ranks of the Secret Service. While Bob was busy protecting President Kennedy and then President Johnson, he and Eve were adding to their family with the birth of Bobby and, a little over a year later, the birth of Jim. Having protected President Lyndon Johnson during his Presidency, Bob was asked by President Johnson in his last days in the White House to head up Johnson's post-presidency security detail in Austin, Texas, the post-White House address for President Johnson. Bob consulted with Eve and decided that Austin would be a fine place to continue to raise a family. After a few years in Austin, Bob was transferred to the "Western White House" of former President Gerald Ford in Rancho Mirage which brought the young family full circle back to the young couple's roots in Southern California. While Bob established a new office for the U.S. Secret Service in the Inland Empire and traveled the world with former President Ford, Eve focused on raising the kids and settling into the family's new home in Riverside. When not traveling the globe, Bob enjoyed nothing more than cheering from the sidelines of his kids' (and, later, grandkids') athletic competitions. He simply couldn't wait to get back to see them pursue their own dreams. And when his kids grew older and had kids of their own, he and Eve were ever-present on the sidelines of those games as well. Selfless in his desire to make others happy, Bob had an especially soft spot in his heart for kids. Known in the neighborhood for sneaking popsicles and ice cream bars to kids who had come over to the house to play, Bob truly relished the pure joy of a child's smile. He (and Eve) were also devoted LSU fans. "Geaux Tigers" would often echo off the television screen and the walls of the family home during an LSU football game. The Purple and Gold traditions were passed along to every family member including grandchildren. Bob and Eve's desire to see the world never waned. And while Bob had seen most of it in the company of Presidents (Kennedy, Johnson, Nixon, and Ford), he gladly traveled the world again (years later after the kids were grown) with Eve as her travel companion. The two of them enjoyed each other's company no matter the continent or time zone. "Two peas in a pod" was a common refrain in describing the couple. Generous with his time and his heart, Bob was selfless in his devotion to his family and friends. He will be missed dearly. He was preceded in death by his parents, Robert and Eva, his brother, Louis, and his sister, Anne. He is survived by his wife, Eve; his daughter, Laura, and her children (Brandon and Bradley); son Bobby; son Jim, Jim's wife Julie, and Jim and Julie's children (Wyatt and Dawson). He is also survived by his sister-in-law, Madge, and her five kids, Mark, Kathleen, Bob, Tim, and Tom. We invite you to join in celebrating Bob's life on Saturday, December 20th, 2014 at the St. Andrews Newman Center, 105 W. Big Springs Rd., Riverside, CA. A service will begin at 11:00am. In honor of Bob, please embrace with all your heart those that you hold dear and tell them you love them. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the charity of your choice.