Robert E. Melbourne

1929 - 2020

Robert E. Melbourne
July 17, 1929 - December 24, 2020
Oceanside
Robert Ernest Melbourne passed away at the age of 91 of natural causes at his long-time family home in San Luis Rey surrounded by his loved ones on Christmas Eve. Bob was born on July 17,1929, on South Horne Street in Oceanside to Dr. Thomas Powell Melbourne (beloved dentist with one of the original dental practices in Oceanside) and Helen Plausse Melbourne. Bob graduated from Oceanside High School (then known as Oceanside/Carlsbad College) in 1947, where he played football, participated in Boys' League, Varsity "O", and Senior Council. Bob served his country first as a private in the US Marine Corps Reserve with the 4th Tank Battalion in San Diego from 1947-1950, and then as an officer in the US Navy, in the Civil Engineering Corp (Seabees) with American Construction Battalion One (ACB-1) in Korea from 1951-1954.Bob graduated from the University of Southern California, Los Angeles in 1951 with a BS in Civil Engineering. Upon returning from service in Korea, he attended Stanford University obtaining a Masters degree in engineering and construction management. Bob joined the construction services company, Morrison-Knudsen (M-K) in 1954, where he worked on major dam and water reclamation construction projects in Boise, Idaho. He thoroughly enjoyed his work in the region. Additional M-K construction projects brought him back to southern California to work on various freeway infrastructure projects in Los Angeles and Orange Counties. Seeing the opportunity to start his own civil engineering company, Bob filled a critical niche by working smaller road and water construction projects, while also expanding into the North County area.

The opportunity to work on large scale water construction projects led him to join the San Diego County Water Authority in 1966, where for the next 28 years he worked on developing the water delivery systems (pipelines, dams, aqueducts), necessary to serve the growing population of San Diego County. He retired as Assistant Chief Engineer, but was also called upon at various times to serve as Chief Engineer in his last few years with the SDCWA. He was a life member and proud fellow of the American Society of Civil Engineers.Bob's strong interest in history led him to earn a Masters in history from the University of San Diego in 1990, and a PhD in History from USC in 1996, with his dissertation on Advance Base Construction By Civilian Contractors in War Zones, which combined his military and civil engineering enthusiasms. Bob loved to talk about the early years of Oceanside along with the associated history of the North County and the iconic San Luis Rey Mission. He contributed to articles and background research to the Southern California Quarterly, The Journal of San Diego History, and the Oceanside Historical Society. He served as President of the Oceanside Historical Society in 1990. He was proud to be a life time member of the First Marine Division Association, and Navy League. As a life long Oceanside Elk member, he enjoyed the distinction of being the first next generation Elk born to a founding member.Bob took great pride in his family and loved them deeply. His sense of familial obligation was strong. For Bob family and extended family always came first, even over his professional opportunities and desires. He enjoyed various family trips both collectively, and individually with his children to celebrate special occasions or professional milestones. He also enjoyed the challenge of researching and finding information on the family ancestry from both his father's and mother's sides.Bob was predeceased by his parents, sister Jeanette (O'Leary), niece Reenie (Maureen O'Leary-Gross), and nephew Kevin O'Leary. Bob is survived by his wife Jeanne of 59 years, his children Ann Farley (Keith Farley, Glendale, CA), Maria Melbourne-Hayes (Ray Hayes, East Moriches, NY), Steven Melbourne (Barbara Melbourne, Bettendorf, IA), and Louise Vance (Rob Vance, Saratoga, CA), and eight grandchildren: Katie, Mary, Abby, Grace, Colette, Rose, Robert, and Trevor. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Robert's name to the Oceanside Historical Society or the Marine Corps Association and Foundation.