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Roger Clapp Obituary
Roger William Clapp, the son of Edson and Jean Clapp, was born February 15, 1926 in Los Angeles, California and passed away on Saturday, March 1, 2014, surrounded by his loving family. Roger, a 55 year resident of Rolling Hills Estates, is survived by Dorothy, the love of his life and wife of 67 years; his four devoted children, Marilyn (David) Kunstler, Marcia (Steven) Block, Norma (Alan) Ankerstar, and Stephen (Mari) Clapp; his brother, Edson Bruce Clapp; and nine beautiful grandchildren.
Roger was raised in San Diego, California, where he developed a love of the ocean, sky and natural world. He attended Caltech as part of the Navy V-12 program. He was president of his senior class and graduated in 1946 with a B.S. in electrical engineering. After completing his military service, he began his long and distinguished career at Hughes Aircraft Company with a position in engineering development, working on antennas and later microwave technology. He advanced into aerospace, where he became a project manager developing earth-orbiting satellites and accompanying ground processing and support systems. He retired in 1985 as Group Vice President & Manager of the NASA Systems Division, Space & Communications Group, of Hughes Aircraft Company.
During retirement, Roger focused on his lifelong interests in traveling, birding, astronomy, photography and woodworking. He loved the ocean and mountains and volunteered for 20 years as a docent at the Cabrillo Marine Aquarium, educating school children in the wonders of sea life. He carried with him everywhere his awe of the natural world and of God's presence in nature's beauty. He was committed to his church and enjoyed his involvement in many aspects of church life. He was devoted to his grandchildren and took the time to encourage each of them in all of their endeavors. We were truly blessed with his unwavering love, kindness, compassion, integrity and wonderful sense of humor, which he shared with all.
The Memorial Service will be Sunday, March 16th at 2:00 p.m. at Neighborhood Church, 415 Paseo del Mar, Palos Verdes Estates, California 90274. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Cabrillo Marine Aquarium, 3720 Stephen M. White Drive, San Pedro, California 90731, or Neighborhood Church, at the address above. Please sign the guest book at www.dailybreeze.com/obits.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Roger Clapp
August 10, 2014
I worked for Roger when I joined Hughes in 1954 and off and on through to the time he retired. He was smart, funny and so very considerate. He made the often long hours during the press of proposals to be actually pleasant. I wish that I had known that he was a birder. /that was one topic we didn't get around to. My world is now a bit dimmer because of this loss. Virginia Norwood
Elone Miller
March 22, 2014
I've just learned that Roger has passed away. He was a highly valued volunteer at the Cabrillo Marine Aquarium when I worked there, and as a member of our Friends of CMA group, he was not only full of good ideas but helped to make them come to fruition. I was also able to participate in one of the Aquarium's Baja Trips with him and Dorothy, and his knowledge of sea birds (and many other birds as well) added to the interest of the voyage.
He will we missed.
Sarah Favazza
March 20, 2014
I remember Roger with fondness from my years at Cabrillo Marine Aquarium. He was a wonderful, kind man, sharing his love of the ocean and its critters with the children of Los Angeles and beyond. God bless.
Regine Snitzer
March 16, 2014
Dear Dottie,
I will miss Roger! I am privileged to have known him as a birdwatcher. I now know someone famous. I learned so much about him at the beautiful service you had for him. Sincerely,Regine Snitzer
M Allison (Isaiah 25:8)
March 15, 2014
May the love of friends and family carry you through your grief.
Inge Thorsen
March 13, 2014
Dear Dorothy, I feel like I knew Roger through you and your writings and I am fortunate to have met him. He will be missed. My deepest sympathy to you and your family. Inge
Dorothe Turley
March 13, 2014
Dear Dorothy
It was my pleasure to meet your delightful husband on several occasions through our
Writers Group. And Perhaps, more fully get to know him through your own writings of life with Roger.
My deepest sympathy for your loss of this wonderful man.
Dorothe
marian marino
March 13, 2014
I was fortunate to be a docent with Roger at the Cabrillo Beach Aquarium for many years. He was such a marvelous person and I was lucky to share every Wed. morning with he and all the other Wed. docents. Roger had such a love for the children that he taught because he had the wonderful ability to teach with love and humor and they in turned respected and were mesmerized by his wealth of knowledge and information that he loved to impart to them. We will all miss him. My deepest sympathy to you and all your family. I feel so lucky to have known him and to have been able to share those wonderful years at the aquarium with him.
March 12, 2014
Dear Marilyn and family,
Please accept my deepest sympathy in the loss of your dad. He sounds like a wonderful man. Marilyn, I know that your warm smile and cheery personality that I remember so well must have brought him great joy during his life. I lost both of my parents a little over a year ago, and I know this is a difficult time that you are going through. You are in my thoughts and prayers. Sincerely, Sherrill (Selleck) Truax RHHS class of 1967
John Kolin
March 12, 2014
I worked for Roger as his Division Controller for one year. I found him to be a consummate professional. He was an extremely like able and ethical man. He was a pleasure to work with. Men, like Roger, are truly missed because he had a rare quality that made him real professional and fun guy to be with.
Sorry for your loss. I am sure he is singing for Jesus now.
March 12, 2014
I worked with Roger for many years at Hughes Space and Communications and he was a wonderful leader. I've never heard an unkind word about him. Harlan Knudson
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