Robert Lee Van Blarcom Jr.

1926 - 2011

Salinas

Robert Lee

Van Blarcom Jr.

Bob passed away Friday, December 16, 2011 at the age of 85, after a short illness.

Bob was married to his beautiful, loving wife Hazel, for more than 52 years. They met in Hawaii and married there in 1959 while he was in the U.S. Air Force. Hazel passed away in February of this year, and while Bob felt very fortunate to have had the privilege of loving her for so long, he missed her dearly.

Bob was in the U.S. Army Air Corps, and later the U.S. Air Force, for morel than 23 years. His primary duty assignment was an instrumentalist with the Air Force Band. His fondest memories were of playing the trumpet with the Air Force band. Bob traveled to over 30 countries in all parts of the world, entertaining everybody from soldiers to Generals to Heads of State while assigned to the band. During his military career, Bob lived in Hawaii, Nebraska, Texas, Idaho, Germany and California. After his military retirement, Bob and his family settled on the Monterey Peninsula. Bob achieved a secondary retirement after completing over 20 years of Civil Service, where he was primarily responsible for logistics at the Silas B. Hayes Army Hospital at Fort Ord.

Bob and Hazel had five children. He was always there to listen and understand, give advice, tell a joke and make everyone laugh. He had a wonderful sense of humor and a gentle spirit. His children cherish all their memories of their special father.

In his younger years he liked deep sea fishing and playing golf and poker. As he got older he enjoyed watching TV, or listening to Big Band music. He loved watching the 49ers play football. He enjoyed meeting new people and was always interested in where they were from and their family history. He could play Cribbage for hours and was always ready for a game. He taught several of his grandchildren how to play and they will never forget the good times playing cards with their Grampa and listening to his funny stories and jokes.

Bob is survived by his daughters, Madge Babcock of Omaha, NE, Gwen Glazebrook of Omaha, NE, Jeri Dailey of Salinas; son, Bud Van Blarcom of Hollister; daughter, Renie Perrien of Prunedale; 14 grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren and seven great-great-grandchildren.

We will all miss his great smile and that twinkle in his eye.

Private family services were held.

Funeral arrangements by Struve and Laporte Funeral Home.

Online condolences to www.struveandlaporte.com.