Robert Silvio Scamara

Robert Silvio Scamara was born in February 1924, in San Luis Obispo to Anselmo and Florence Scamara and passed away on Saturday, Feb. 27, 2010, at his home in Atascadero after a courageous eleven year battle with lymphoma cancer. Bob was proud of his Swiss heritage. His father migrated at age 12 from Gordala, Switzerland in 1904 to Lompoc. Bob''s mother''s great grandfather was John M. Price of the Pismo Rancho. Bob grew up in San Luis Obispo, graduating from San Luis Obispo High School in 1942. He was called into the US Army Air Corp in February of 1943, receiving his flight training and pilot''s wings at Luke Field, Phoenix, Ariz., on March 11, 1944, Class of 44C. He was then sent to Hawaii and assigned to the 47th Fighter Squadron Flying P-47D''s. Eventually he was sent to Iwo Jima, Flying P-51D''s to escort bombers to Japan. He remained there until his discharge at the end of the war, August of 1945. Bob received several commendations and medals, including the Distinguished Flying Cross, three Air Medals and a couple of Silver Stars. One of his medals was presented to him and other pilots from his squadron by General "Hap" Arnold on Iwo Jima. Bob graduated from Cal Poly with an Aeronautical Engineering Degree in June 1949. He married Lois Sharp of Shell Beach, his sweetheart of 64 years, on January 18, 1947 in Arroyo Grande. Bob worked for Maino Construction as a carpenter on the San Antonio Mission while waiting for an engineering job with the Division of Highways in San Luis Obispo and then went to work for District 5 on March 10, 1950. Bob and Lois moved their growing family to several cities during his tenure with the Division of Highways, now Cal Trans, including Salinas, Monterey and King City, eventually settling down in Atascadero in 1958 and spending the next 52 years here. Bob retired from Cal Trans May 4, 1987 after working 37 years as a Highway Engineer. He was the resident engineer on many construction projects in SLO and Monterey Counties. He was also a project engineer for about 15 years during this time. Bob was very proud to be a member of the Atascadero Elks Lodge #2733. Bob and Lois started their family of five children, two sons and three daughters, with the birth of Sandy while Bob was still at Cal Poly. Then came Russell, Dan, Cathy and Barbara. The family became larger when fifteen grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren were born. Survivors: Wife: Lois Scamara Children: Sandy (David) O''Connor, Russ(Karen) Scamara, Dan(Cathi)Scamara, Cathy(Tim) Blair and Barbara(Terry)Madonna. 15 Grandchildren, 2 Step Grandchildren: Cassiday, Shila, Cory, Kira, Casey, Danny Jr, Dylan, Emily, Lea, Tiffany, Shawn, Lara, Luke, Latia, Dustin, Bailey and Logan; 4 Great Grandchildren: Brianna, Caedra, Drake and Grant. Brother: Alvin(Dorthy)Scamara A celebration of Bob''s life will be held at 11 a.m., Thursday, March 4, 2010, at Chapel of the Roses, 3450 El Camino Real in Atacadero, followed by burial in the Atascadero District Cemetery. In lieu of flowers please make donations in Bob''s name to Hospice Partner''s of the Central Coast, 277 South Street, Suite R, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401 or The Elks Lodge #2733 Purple Pig Program, 1516 El Camino Real, Atascadero, CA 93422 Atascadero Chapel of the Roses 466-1161 Atascadero