Robert L. Abercrombie

Robert L. Abercrombie

Robert L. Abercrombie passed away in Helena, Montana, on March 24, 2012, of natural causes. He was 89 years old. Bob was born the third of three children on June 30, 1922, in Long Beach, California, to William J. and Mary (Palmer) Abercrombie. He attended Hamilton Junior High School and Long Beach Poly High School, lettering in multiple sports. Softball was his favorite. He graduated in 1940. Bob and Shirley Hagman were married in Long Beach and later divorced. They had two children, Rodrick L. and Gail A. Abercrombie. His second marriage was to Florence R. Baker with whom he spent 53 years of work, travel, golf and devotion. They lived in Anaheim and in North San Diego County, California. Bob's long career with Union Oil Company of California began as a research technician at the refinery in San Pedro. He retired thirty-eight years later in 1983 as building services manager of the Union 76 Research Center in Brea, California. Bob loved the game of golf and was very good at it. He and his wife Flo made good and lasting friends through golf and with them went on many golfing trips. During retirement Bob and Flo made numerous sightseeing trips throughout the West, the East Coast, and to Europe and Hawaii. After the death of his wife Flo in 2009, Bob moved to Helena, Montana, to be near his daughter, Gail. Bob was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Florence; his sister, Agnes M. Rice; his brother, W. Wayne Abercrombie; his son, Rodrick L. Abercrombie, and his stepson R. Larry Baker. He is survived by his daughter, Gail A. Abercrombie and her husband, Mark Dreiling of Helena, Montana; his granddaughter, Carrie L. Abercrombie (Eric) Evans and her children, Johnathan Ranft and Ashley Miles of Winterville, North Carolina; his grandson, Ryan C. (Morgan) Abercrombie of Tucson, Arizona; his niece, Karen L. Abercrombie of Long Beach, and his nephew, David A. Abercrombie of Phoenix, Arizona. Cremation has taken place. Ashes will be scattered at sea off the coast of San Diego at a later date. Please sign the guest book at www.presstelegram.com/obituaries.