WILLIAM ROBERT BOTTENBERG Sr.

WILLIAM ROBERT BOTTENBERG, SR. Born June 4, 1917, in Kansas City, MO, died in the loving company of his children, on December 15, 2009. He follows his beloved wife of 67 years, Mary Butler Bottenberg, and their dear daughter, Julia Greer. From early childhood Bill had an engineer's inventive mind, measuring, calculating and building with his brother, Louie. Bill graduated from the Naval Academy in 1940 and did post graduate work at MIT and Cal Tech in Aeronautical Engineering. During WWII he worked for a US Navy Experimental Division. He was particularly proud of his part in the design of an in-flight fueling system and in developing a method of dropping food and gear to 1000's of survivors of ships torpedoed off the East Coast. After the war, his Navy service included designing aircraft, missiles and wind tunnels. Upon retirement from the Navy as a Commander in 1961, Bill moved his growing family to Redlands. He worked as an aeronautica l engineer for TRW in San Bernardino, as a civil engineer for the San Bernardino County Flood Control District, and as a calculus teacher at San Bernardino Valley College. From 1973-2008 Bill's house was an official weather station for the county, recording rain fall and the temperatures daily. Even into his 90's, he continued inventing and kept up with the latest technologies. Bill was a lifelong Boy Scout, earning the rank of Eagle Scout in 1932, serving as Scout Master of Troop 11 at Sacred Heart Church in Redlands, serving on the Grayback Council Executive Board, running the Pop Nye Camporee for years, and ultimately being awarded the Silver Beaver, Scouting's highest honor, in 1983. As a young naval officer, Bill met and married Mary Millard Butler in Norfolk, VA, where they began a life filled with children, rocks, inventions, laughter, painting and books. While in the Navy, multiple moves took them through Maryland, Virginia, California and New Jersey. Permanently settled in Redlands, Bill enjoyed wa tercolor classes and painting with Mary. He loved being 92 and finishing one more painting. Their passion for rocks and minerals took them throughout the US and Canada. during his lifetime of service, Bill was a member of the Redlands Community chest, the Yucaipa Valley Gem and Mineral Society, the Redlands Rock Club, and the Loyal Knights of the Round Table. Bill felt lucky to have his 11 children and their spouses: Bill Bottenberg, Jr. (Judy), Boulder Creek, CA; Molly McClain (Bill), Houston, TX; Tom Bo ttenberg Sr. (Diann), Vancouver, WA; Dick Bottenberg (Wendy), Wayzata, MN; Lucy Heyming (Frank), Riverside, CA; Julia Greer (d. 2001) (Tom), Twin Peaks, CA; Matt Bottenberg (Sue), Forest Falls, CA; Mary Bader (Jim), Rancho Cucamonga, CA; John Bottenberg, Sr. (Eunice), Milford, MI; Peter Bottenberg, Sr. (Michele), Redlands, CA; and Amy McCormick (Tom), Orange, CA. He was an inspiration to his 28 grand-children, Catharine (Robb), Carrie, Will (Kelly), Carrie (Asher), Tom Jr. (Joan), Brett (Mary Kate), Charli e (Michelle), Kelly, Connie, Hank (Angie), Helen (Bryan), Renee (Scott), Ted (Becca), Nick, Joe (Erin), Amelia, Duncan, Hannah, Kristin, John Jr., Liana, Kimberly, Peter Jr., Alex, Madison, Andy, Julia, and Mitch. Bill reveled in his 20 great-grandchildren: Mallory, Kale, Charles, Marnie, Mac, Braden, Ian, Evan, Jake, Sarah, Liam, Franklin, Dotty, Jasper, Addison, Jacob, Owen, Charlotte, Cate, and Matthew. His sunny and kind spirit will be greatly missed by his family and the many people he touched over h is lifetime. The Visitation will be at Cortner Chapel, 221 Brookside Ave., Redlands, Tuesday, December 22, from 5 - 8 P.M. A Memorial Mass will be held Wednesday, December 23, at 10 A.M., at Holy Name of Jesus Church, in Redlands. A reception will immediately follow in the church hall. The Interment will be at Riverside National Cemetery at 1:30 P.M. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Boy Scout Troop 11 at the Holy Name of Jesus Church or the Redlands Chapter of the Loyal Knights of the Roun d Table.