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BORN
1929
DIED
2021
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Robert Torbett Obituary
Robert "Bob-Torb-Baja Bob," born in Atchison, Kansas, was preceded in death by his wife, Fritzi, in 2002. He is survived by his children Rosa, Michael, Paula, five grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren, all of whom will dearly miss him.
Bob was the youngest of six and the only male sibling. He lost his father at a young age and his mother moved the family to San Diego, to find work in 1942. Bob graduated from Hoover High School in 1946, then joined the U.S. Army, serving during the occupation of Japan WWII.
Following his honorable discharge, he joined the San Diego County Sheriff's Department in 1953. He had a long and successful career. Bob served as Information Liaison for San Diego, Goldshield Homicide Detective, established the Retired Sheriff Deputy Association, helped found and edit the Silver Star magazine and the list goes on. He created a spirit of cooperation between San Diego and Tijuana law enforcements and because of this became known as "Baja Bob".
After retiring in 1978, Bob worked head of security at the Del Mar Racetrack for 10 years. He started his own security firm to work as a bodyguard and private investigator, in turn meeting several prominent people.
Baja Bob loved to travel throughout Baja, California and spoke fluent Spanish (self-taught). He was a historian, had an industrious nature and adventurous life. Friend to All.
Memorial will be held at Aztlan Mortuary 7856 La Mesa Blvd. in La Mesa on Saturday, February 5, 2022 10am-1pm. Inurnment at Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery in Point Loma on Wednesday, February 16, 2022 10:30am.
In lieu of flowers he wished donations to be made to the San Diego County Sheriff's Museum. Send to Honorary Deputy Sheriff's Association (HDSA) P.O. Box 421260, San Diego, CA 92123, note in recognition of Robert E. Torbett for the San Diego County Sheriff's Museum.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Robert Torbett
Sponsored by Aztlan Mortuary - La Mesa.
2 Entries
Lollie McIntire
January 25, 2022
I was so sad to read that Bob had died. He and I worked many years together at the Del Mar Racetrack, he as head of security, and me, on the stable gates. We always had a special bond because Bob had worked as a sheriff under my grandfather, Charles W. "Mac" McIntire, who was one of the first group of sheriffs to patrol San Diego north county in the 1930s. I always enjoyed Bob's memories of being a rookie sheriff riding around with my grouchy old grandpa, who was tough as nails on the rookies. But he and Bob became friends, and Bob eventually talked my grandfather into donating his service revolver to the Sheriff's Museum, where it still is today.
Working with Bob at the racetrack, I always appreciated his fluent Spanish and that he was so kind to the backside employees, and would go out of his way to help them. My dad, who was the Stable Superintendent, was in the office right next door to Bob's office, and my dad always liked Bob too, and would laugh at the stories Bob told of working with my grandfather ( My dad's dad, who also moonlighted at the Del Mar Racetrack as a security guard when it first opened in 1937!).
Alicelynn Ekberg Cockrill
January 24, 2022
My sympathies to Bobs family. I remember fun times on Palomar with him when visiting Lorene and Dick Scoggins at the cabin. Bob was always so friendly and kind. My thoughts are with you now.
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