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Robert Amparan Obituary
August 5, 1933 - January 22, 2021
San Diego
Robert (Bob) L. Amparan passed away on January 22, 2021. He was a devoted son, father, brother, uncle, partner, and grandfather. He will be missed by his many friends that he met over his lifetime, including his church community, teachers, and former students from the many schools where he loved his administrative role as Principal. Bob was born in Los Angeles, CA, on August 5, 1933. He was the first person in his family to go to University, moving to San Diego to attend SDSU where he completed both a B.S. and a Masters Degree. Bob finished his studies at U.C. Berkeley with additional MastersDegrees in Social Studies and Education, as well as a Doctorate in Educational Administration. He put those degrees to work throughout his long career as both teacher and administrator, spending time at Snyder Continuation High School, Wright Brothers Continuation High School, Memorial Junior High School, and San Diego High School, as well as teaching Educational Administration courses at SDSU.Bob lived his belief that providing opportunities and access to education could change lives. As an educator, he created programs directed at keeping kids in school, increasing education possibilities for working and pregnant teenagers, and incentivizing students to maintain attendance requirements for graduation. There are likely hundreds of photos out there from the years of Bob playing Santa Claus and the Easter Bunny for the kids at the student daycare center. Bob also brought the International Baccalaureate Programme to San Diego High School, opening the doors to global educational opportunities. He took the time to meet and speak with the hundreds of students that crossed his path over the years, attending as many sporting events and extracurricular activities as he could, and always cheering the students' successes. While Bob was an avid list maker, there are too many people left who loved him to list them all here. Suffice it to say that his children, grandchildren, sister, nieces, and nephews have all benefited from his love and will miss him greatly. Bob will forever be imprinted in our memories and in our hearts as a man who loved deeply, joked joyfully, and sang terribly.The family wishes to thank Dorothy Untalan and Michael Phillips for the years of dedicated care and friendship that allowed Bob to live out his final years in the comfort of his own home as he wished.Covid precautions prevent a memorial service at this time. In lieu of a group gathering, we ask that you consider calling your family members and telling them you love them. Also, pet a dog.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Robert Amparan
Bob Camacho
February 17, 2024
Great Man. I was lucky to have crossed paths with him professionally.
Bob Camacho
October 14, 2023
Dr. Bob as I referred to him is greatly missed
Doris Alvarez
August 4, 2021
Bob was a special friend. I had the pleasure of working with him when he was principal of San Diego High and I was principal of Hoover High. I didn't learn of his passing until today. My deepest condolences to his famil.
Anna Van Til
March 15, 2021
My prayers go out to the Amparan family. Dr. Amparan was my High School Principal at SDHS from 1985-1987. He later became my friend from church. He was a very supportive Principal at SDHS. I can remember him always walking around campus, talking with the students. I will miss exchanging Christmas cards with him. May his soul rest in peace.
C A Fernandez
March 6, 2021
Bob was an incredible mentor to many people. He will always be remembered for his kindness.
Ruth George
February 28, 2021
Dr. Amparán was the first principal I worked under and gave me my first contract while at Memorial way back in the 1979-1980 school year. I remember the day quite clearly. I got called into his office after school one afternoon. Also there was his co-conspirator, Dr. Frank Till, the vice principal. I had been asked to take over another teacher's classes several weeks ago and had been given eight weeks to turn them around. They told me they had received word from the ed center that they had to obey even though they were against it. They said I was doing a great job with the difficult classes and saw a lot of progress, but the ed center's order was to be followed. They handed me the letter to read for myself, and I was confused. I thought sure it would be formally telling me I was being excessed, but no, it was a contract. I questioned them and they laughed at me and congratulated me. They sure got that me that day.
Bob knows I'm not going to pet a dog, but love on my cats.
Go Eagles!
Ruth George
February 28, 2021
Dr. Amparán was the principal who gave me my first contract way back in the '79-'80 school year. I remember it vividly and it reflects his wonderful sense of humor. He called me in to his office after school one afternoon. Dr. Frank Till, a vice principal, was there too. Bob explained to me that they had received a notice from the ed center and there was nothing they could do about it. They said I was doing an awesome job taking over another teacher's difficult classes, and that while they had agreed to give me 8 weeks to turn things around, the district had other plans they couldn't fight. They handed me the letter I assumed would be the formal notice of being excessed out. I read it and was confused. I asked them, "Is this a contract?" and they both started laughing at me.
Bob always had a smile and an encouraging word to those lucky enough to work with him. I really enjoyed working and learning from him at Memorial. Go Eagles!
Mary Beth Ekhaml
February 26, 2021
Dr. Amparan was the first Principal I worked under! I will never forget being welcomed to the faculty by him! He made my first years teaching a truly wonderful experience! He was an amazing man!
Gilbert Smith
February 23, 2021
Dr. Amparan was principal of San Diego High School when I worked there from 1983 to 1987. I worked in the Communications Center at SDHS, which at that time had the Television Production classes for both adults and high school students. I worked as a teaching assistant in the TV studio where where the high school students attended. I made friends with Dr. Amparan, and he always had a smile and a kind word for me. He participated frequently with our classes, hosting his own show over the school cable system, as well as participating in special productions with us. He always had time for me when I would come knock at his office door. He always called me "Gil", and he would always make me feel welcome, and ask me to sit down and visit with him. I recall with great detail his kindness and patience, and his way of always making you feel important. I lost contact with him after I left SDHS, but a chance meeting with his daughter Casey at a church dinner a number of years ago, happily put me back in contact with him, and I enjoyed his friendship once again. I would visit him, chat on the phone, and we would recall those years at San Diego High when we worked there. I'm thankful to have had Dr. Robert Amparan as a part of my life, and I pray that he is eternally at peace in the presence of our Lord, who he loved so much. My condolences to his family, friends, and all those who new and loved Dr. Amparan.
Eyah Swambat
February 23, 2021
Bob was a wonderful, patient, kind, caring, and giving person. Especially so as a grandpa to my kids, Deanna and James Jerauld. So many memories to cherish forever. Thank you Bob!
Sheila Brown
February 22, 2021
Dr. Bob was the principal at San Diego High School for a lot of years, during the 30+ years that my husband, Orville Brown, taught there, and through the years our five oldest children attended. John (our oldest), when he was bored and started acting up in class, would be threatened by teachers with a referral to the vice-principal. John would put on attitude and say “why don’t you just send me to the principal?” And they would. So John would waltz into the principal’s office and say “Hey, Dr. Bob!” And Dr. Bob would say “Hey John! How’re things?” and they’d shoot the breeze for awhile, and John would go back to class. John’s four oldest sisters weren’t that brazen, but their relationships with Dr. Bob were also good, and there were some good stories over the years. Dr. Bob retired just as Rachel (our youngest) was starting high school, and she was literally in tears when she heard. “Where will I go,” she sobbed, “when I get in trouble?”
Jan
February 22, 2021
Roberto touched so many but me especially. As a friend and mentor I have a special place in my heart for him
David Etonia AKA Don Quatrochi
February 22, 2021
Bob and I were high school, jr. college and state college fellow students. We were in the electronics program at Riverside JC when I graduated to go to SDSC. Bob was 1 year behind me, Dr. Phillips from State and I went to JC to recruit Bob . He came to SDSU and enrolled in Industrial Arts .We both taught IA he for City Schools and I for Grossmont . We had nick names for our electronics ..he Amps , our friend Homes was called Ohms and me "Q" ... I called Bob after I retired in 1994 but we were not able to meet. He was a gentleman with a smile I see today. I was so happy he became principal at San Diego HI. I knew he had a big heart for all his teachers and students .. I know his loved ones will miss him and happy he was on this earth. love to you who loved him.. Mr. Q
Sherman Johnson
February 22, 2021
Mr. Amparan was my mentor at Snyder Continuation High School. I was expelled from Hoover High in 10th grade for truancy. He was my counselor at Snyder. He took a liking to me because I wanted to attend full time 8-9 classes a day unlike many other students. He helped me graduate after 1 year, end of 11th grade ( 1967). He was a great teacher & man. I spoke at his retirement party.
Wendy Tompkins
February 21, 2021
While in college I was office manager at Wright Brother’s Career High School in the summer of 1977. He was so kind and funny and made every day enjoyable. I bet I’m the only one who is not related to him that can say he taught me how to drive stick shift! He wanted me to babysit for about a week and I did not have a reliable car so he had to teach me so I could drive his. He was very patient. Of course as soon as I could afford a new car I had to buy a stick shift. I will always remember him fondly.
Sharon Whitley Larsen
February 21, 2021
I have fond memories of teaching bilingual special ed at San Diego High with Bob as my principal. I always appreciated him giving me creative freedom to teach my students—he thought outside the box. I last saw him at his retirement party. My condolences to his family, my thoughts are with you all.
Marisa Torres Acosta
February 21, 2021
To the Amparan family,
I had the pleasure of meeting and working with your beloved father when he was the principal at Memorial Jr. High.
It was my first job upon graduating from UCSD and he made me feel so welcome.
I recall a story Dr. Amparan shared with me regarding his youth. He related that he would get good grades, but then toss his graded paper into the wastebasket, because he wanted to fit in with his buddies that goofed-around and got bad grades! Thankfully he kept up with his studies and good grades.
Dr. Amparan always had a smile to share and I will continue to remember him fondly.
May the memories you made with him, bring all of you comfort.
God bless,
Marisa Torres Acosta
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