Robert Joyce Datel

September 24, 1925 - March 16, 2016
Robert Joyce Datel was born on a farm near Wessington, Beadle County, South Dakota to Emil Datel and Helen Joyce. He attended a two-room country school, Whiteside Consolidated, and graduated from Wessington High School in 1943, where he was a good student, star baseball and basketball player, and average cornetist. He joined the U. S. Navy in July of that year as a V-12 student and was sent to college at Dickenson, ND, later transferring to the University of Minnesota. His Navy career ended in 1946 shortly after he received a Bachelor of Science in Naval Technology. Two years later he earned a Bachelor of Civil Engineering, also from the U of M. In July 1948 Bob began a career with the State of California that lasted more than 38 years. His first assignment with the Division of Highways was in the Eureka district. While working at a prison road camp as a junior civil engineer, he met Dorothy White, a Humboldt State College student. They were married in September 1949 and became the parents of two daughters, Kerry Joyce and Robin Elisabeth. Later assignments with the Division of Highways included District Engineer of the San Luis Obispo and Stockton districts and State Highway Engineer. Bob was one of several engineer-managers instrumental in transforming the Division of Highways into the Department of Transportation (Caltrans) in 1973. He was the last State Highway Engineer for the Division of Highways and the first Chief Engineer for Caltrans. Later he held the position of District Director, Caltrans, in Los Angeles. He retired from state service as Deputy Director, Caltrans, in December 1986. Bob enjoyed working closely with local professional and elected officials in planning and building freeways compatible with local transportation systems, land use plans, and environmental concerns. The successful completion of the Monterey freeway during his tenure as District Engineer in San Luis Obispo was the result of years of cooperative efforts between state and local officials. He worked on national transportation committees to help establish standards for freeway design and construction and policies regarding transportation funding. Throughout the latter half of his career he was interested in management training. He helped develop courses and seminars for present and future career civil service employees. Following his retirement Bob began a second career of volunteerism lasting 15 years, serving as an AARP income tax preparer, a Sacramento County mediator, and an award-winning Marin County senior peer counselor. He served for three years on the Board of Directors of the American Association of Senior Peer Counseling. He was a skilled listener, and many people appreciated his playful sense of humor. Bob's lifelong interests revolved around family activities, baseball, contract bridge, foreign and domestic travel, and continued learning. He took to Unitarianism, the humanistic psychology of Carl Rogers, the folk music of Joan Baez, Dixieland jazz, popcorn and movies, and canal cruising in Britain. The spirit of Camelot spoke to him, and he was deeply saddened by the assassination of JFK. In his later years, he wrote stories based on his childhood memories, poetry for his grandchildren, and film reviews. He is survived by his daughter Robin and son-in-law Dennis Dingemans of Davis; his son-in-law Robert Weinzimer of Silver Spring, MD; and his grandchildren Leah Weinzimer, Theodore Dingemans, and Franklin Dingemans. He was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers Johnie and William, wife Dorothy, daughter Kerry, and grandson Mark Weinzimer. The family suggests that donations in honor of Bob be directed to the Dekema Scholarship at Caltrans; contact karen.young@dot.ca.gov.dot.ca.gov.