Robert D. Rail

1922 - 2013

Robert Rail passed away February 14th in Ojai. Born in Fairfield, Iowa, the third of four children, he was an Ojai resident for over fifty years.

Roberts early childhood was spent on a farm. Shortly after starting college in Iowa he left to serve in the U.S. Navy during WWII, following which he completed a B.A. in English at UCLA, married, fathered two sons, and first moved to Ojai.

A job working on the construction of the Richmond-San Rafael Bridge in the late 1950s sparked an interest in engineering, and with his second wife Dorothy Dron Rail, of Ojai, Robert moved to Berkeley, where their two children began school as he completed a second degree, this one in Engineering from UC Berkeley.

Upon his graduation in 1962 the family returned to Ojai, with Robert finding employment as a civilian Engineer for the U.S. Navy. Although based in Port Hueneme, his work as an underwater concrete specialist took him around the world, in a career spanning thirty-five years.

Robert enjoyed geology, astronomy, and nature, and was long active in efforts to preserve the Ojai Valley. Preceded in death by his beloved wife Dorothy and his three siblings, he is survived by four children, two grandchildren and numerous nephews and nieces.

A memorial service for Robert will be held at the Ojai Art Center, 113 South Montgomery Street, in downtown Ojai, on Saturday, March 23rd, from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm; the public is invited.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent in Roberts memory to the non-profit Ojai Valley Library Friends and Foundation, 121 East Ojai Avenue, Ojai, CA 93023.

Letters of condolence can be mailed to PO Box 22064, Juneau, AK 99802. Inquiries may be sent to nickrail@nickrailmusic.com.