Robert W. Montross

1929 - 2022

Robert Montross, born Oct. 8, 1929, passed away June 4, 2022, with his wife, children and granddaughter at his side in Clovis, Calif.

Bob grew up in Clovis, on the Alta Sierra Ranch managed by his parents, George and Marjorie Montross.

He attended Garfield School and Clovis High School. Toward the end of his second year at Fresno State, he joined the U.S. Naval Reserves. It was on his second Pacific cruise that his future was decided for him. An old salt had taken a liking to the young enlistee, and began encouraging Bob to "attend Annapolis." To Bob, Annapolis was "where they have a 500 mile race!"

Then one day, he invited Bob to his engineering space, and dogged down the hatch behind him. There on his desk, with the captain's endorsement, was a completed application to the U.S. Naval Academy. Threatened with a dogging wrench, Bob was told to "Sign this thing or I will break your (expletive) arm!" And Bob was off to Annapolis, where he graduated in 1954.

Bob attended Submarine School under Admiral Hyman G. Rickover, and the Naval War College. As a young officer, he served on the submarines Scamp, Shark, Razorback, Wahoo, and had command of the Polaris submarine Henry Clay. He was at the helm when his submarine sailed into the harbor at Long Beach, the first nuclear submarine to do so, and where he received the key to the city.

In 1957, the submarine on which he served, along with her officers, was used in the making of "Hellcats of the Navy," the only movie Ronald Reagan and Nancy Davis appeared in together. Bob can be seen as an extra in a number of scenes.

He also served on Project Moray, an experimental two-man submarine interceptor, which included a week with renowned oceanographer Jacques Cousteau on his ship, the Calypso, and briefings with then President John F. Kennedy, who had taken a keen interest in the project.

His last assignment before retiring was on the Joint Strategic Target Planning Staff, where he received one of three meritorious service medals.

In the late '70s, Bob was hired by Consumers Power Co. to head the Palisades Nuclear Plant in Covert Township. There, within his first year, he guided the plant to be considered one of the country's best managed. Following his work with the utility, he became a consultant to the nuclear industry.

To round out his professional life, Bob and his wife owned and managed a travel agency in Sarasota, Fla., for 15 years.

Bob was very proud of his children and grandchildren, Robert and Carolyn. His daughter Lisa (m. Steve Snyder) graduated from UCLA and resides in the Seattle area. His son, Christopher (m. Andrea Patricelli), graduated from the Naval Academy, and lives in Fresno, Calif.

Bob was preceded in death by their mother, Carol; and his three younger siblings: Barbara Crowell, Marge Sassano and George Montross.

He is also survived by beloved nieces and nephews and his wife of 42 years, Diane.