Robert Burnett Dillinger

Robert Burnett Dillinger 29 Apr 1934-7 Nov 2025 If life was a baseball game, Bob went the full 9, extra innings, and won. He was born in 1934 in Susanville, California to hardworking parents, Burnett and Irene (nee Ducasse), who owned a local flower shop and wanted the most life had to offer for Bob and his brother Norm. Growing up in Susanville instilled in Bob a love of the outdoors. He spent many happy hours hunting, fishing and hiking during his youth. He remained an avid fisherman well into his 80’s and introduced his children and grandchildren to his favorite fishing holes.

 After graduating from Lassen High School in 1952, he played semi-pro baseball on the Susanville Merchants. He started and stopped college, worked as a lumber jack, and eventually joined the Army. His tour took him to France which allowed him to explore Europe. He remembered his time in France fondly. After the Army, he graduated from the University of Nevada-Reno. In 1961, his mechanical engineering degree won him a position at China Lake, Naval Ordinance Test Station. He turned down a position with NASA to be there. About his almost 50 years there, he said his work was tremendously exciting and rewarding and, as a bonus, he made many cherished friends. On base, he was an engineer, a manager, a mentor, an innovator, and a contributor to most of the weapons tech still used in the Navy today. He was granted several patents, in 1989 he was awarded the McLean Award for those “who turned imagination into solutions that made a real impact at China Lake”, and in 1991 he was awarded the Navy Meritorious Civilian Service Award. He started his profession when nothing was digital, or computer modeled, and ended it in an entirely different technological age. He was all in on computers and tech. This included computer games, e-readers, and cell phones. He held onto his Commodore computer and Corel Office Suite well past the expiration date. 

He found immense joy being in the mountains, in the company of his family, and fixing broken things in the house even when it was cheaper to replace them. This led to a magnificent collection of random nuts and bolts of every shape and size, except, invariably, for the one he needed at that moment. He was a fabulous multi-medium artist and delighted friends and family with beautiful works. The California Road Runner was one of his favorite subjects with which to express his talent. As an engineer and an artist, he used both sides of his brain with amazing results. He was extremely competitive, and it didn’t matter how young the competitor - including grandchildren. Who could catch the most fish? Eat the most cookies? Win a foot race to the donut shop? He was not above cheating to win. He argued the “rules of engagement” did not explicitly exclude whatever behavior was in question. He even touted how many pennies he picked up on his morning walks, as if that was also a competition. 

In his life, he was a baseball player, a lumberjack, an engineer, an artist, a veteran, a hunter, a sports fanatic, and more importantly a son, brother, husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. When asked about a favorite Grandpa memory, all the grandkids mentioned fishing trips with mandatory salami sandwiches and “grandpa cookies.” He was humble enough to recognize he was imperfect but had the strong faith to believe he would be forgiven and tried each day to be the best he could. When he left this world to return to the company of the love of his life, Dolly, he left a legacy. 

To his daughter Sue, he leaves his artistic soul, problem solving, and being a fierce protector of the family. To his daughter Teresa, he leaves his faith, resilience, and amazing intellect. To his son Paul, he leaves his love of outdoor adventure and how to be a loving husband. To his four grandchildren and four great-grandchildren he leaves a sense of wonder and intergenerational family love and support. As his family, we will continue to stitch his lessons into the tapestry of our lives so his guidance and energy will live on. 

Bob was preceded in death by his wife, Dolly and is survived by his brother Norm, four children: Susan Dillinger (B.J. Lewis), Teresa Dillinger (Don Dudley), Paul Ferrari (Mariko), and Steve Dillinger. As well as grandchildren, Erik Johnson (Allison), Nick Johnson (Emily), Lindsay Schrader (Justin), Stephen Ferrari and four greatgrandchildren. 

A funeral Mass and reception will be held on Saturday, January 10th at 11am at St. Ann Catholic Church in Ridgecrest, California. A reception in the parish hall will take place following the service. If you would like to honor Bob, the family suggests donations be made to the China Lake Museum.