Robert Thornton

1929 - 2022

Robert Rundle Thornton passed away peacefully at Scripps Hospital in Encinitas on October 4, 2022. He was born in Lafayette, Indiana in 1929 to Samuel Farrar Thornton and Gail Bone Thornton and grew up in Norfolk, Virginia. Bob graduated from Princeton University in 1951 with a BS in Chemical Engineering, and from Harvard Law School in 1957. He served in the United States Navy as the Electronics Officer on the USS Estes during the Korean War. Later, Bob practiced law in Los Angeles for more than 50 years, specializing in intellectual property and business litigation representing Fortune 500 clients. He has resided in San Diego County since 1994. Bob was an avid patriot, outdoorsman, wine collector, world traveler and horticulturist. He is predeceased by his parents and brother, Charles P. Thornton. Bob is survived by his bride of 41 years, Nancy Foster Thornton, his Labrador Retriever Comet, and a plethora of nieces and nephews. A celebration of life with military honors will be held on the USS Midway for close friends and family. Bob will be interred at Miramar National Cemetery. Donations may be made to a Veterans organization of choice.