Colonel Robert Roland Arnau

1933 - 2015

COLONEL ROBERT ROLAND ARNAU Colonel Robert (Bob) Arnau sadly passed away on February 24, 2015 at Riverside Community Hospital. He was 81. Colonel Arnau was the former Riverside County General Services Agency Director who oversaw the construction of numerous buildings that are still in use today. His direction helped reshape downtown Riverside. Bob Arnau was born on June 3, 1933 in Hollywood, Florida to Julian and Leona Arnau. He was his high school class president and became the first person in his family to attend college, earning a full scholarship to the University of Miami (Fla). He graduated from the "U" with a Civil Engineering degree in 1955. After completing ROTC, he entered the US Air Force and earned his pilot wings in 1956 at Webb Air Force Base, Texas. Bob married Mary Angela Mascaro in 1963 in Lubbock, Texas and they spent the next 52 years traveling the world together, very much in love. Colonel Arnau served 29 years in the Air Force as a pilot, engineer and commander. He was a highly decorated Vietnam Veteran helicopter pilot, receiving multiple medals of valor earned in combat, including three distinguished flying crosses. Colonel Arnau honorably retired from the Air Force at March Air Force Base in 1984 and went to work for Riverside County as the Director of the General Services Agency. During his ten year service, he supervised the construction of the Riverside Hall of Justice, the Robert Presley Detention Facility, the Health and Welfare Administrative Center, the Victor Miceli Law Library addition, multiple sheriff stations and numerous other buildings. He retired from Riverside County in 1993 and taught at the UC Riverside Adult Extension Program for several years. Bob enjoyed his retirement years traveling with Mary, continuing his association with numerous organizations such as the Order of Daedalians and the Military Officers Association and proudly enjoying his very close family and many, many friends. Colonel Arnau is survived by his wife Mary; his two sons Robert and John; his daughter Michelle; and his two grandchildren Olivia and Jake. Memorial services will be held at 11am on Thursday, March 12th at the Riverside National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, his family is requesting donations be made to the City of Hope Cancer Center (1500 E. Duarte Rd, Duarte, CA). Bob was a hero, a patriot, a loving husband, father and pop-pop. He was a true officer and a gentleman. He will be dearly missed.