Robert Lawrence "Bob" Tveit

1922 - 2007

Robert L. "Bob" Tveit, 85, died peacefully on Dec. 16, 2007, in Ventura after a long battle with brain tumors and cancer.

Robert was born Jan. 24, 1922, in Beaver Dam, Wis., to Ola and Catherine Tveit. He became interested in architectural design in high school and at 17 designed and drew plans for his sister's three-bedroom house, which was built on the shore of Beaver Dam Lake and still stands today,

He enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1942, trained as a signalman and served in Scotland, Cherbourg, France, and Bremerhaven, Germany, before being deployed to the Pacific theater on an aircraft carrier named the Thetis Bay. In 1946, Robert was honorably discharged from the Navy. He then earned a bachelor's degree in architecture at University of Michigan, met and married Constance Confair, and moved to Milwaukee, Wis., where he was employed by the architectural firm of Maynard Meyer.

In 1954, Robert moved his family to Ventura, where he worked for architects Kenneth Hess, Harold Burkett, and Herman Muller. When Mr. Muller retired, Robert took over the business. He designed the Mayr-Tidwell office building on Loma Vista Road, the Mental Health center on Hillmont Street, and did remodeling for the main Ventura County Hospital as well as many other Ventura County and city projects. He also designed houses, and the hills of Ventura are peppered with homes designed or remodeled by him. Architecture had been his lifelong passion, and he never considered retirement until illness forced him to do so in 2004.

Mr. Tveit was a proud member of the American Institute of Architects, (AIA), a Paul Harris Fellow of Ventura Rotary East, a member of Kiwanis and the Gold Coast Dance Club.

He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Constance Confair Tveit; son Carl T. Tveit and daughter-in-law, Sylvia of Redwood Valley, Calif.; daughter, Holly and son-in-law, Rob Albus of Woodinville, Wash; son Russell T. Tveit of Ventura; and grandchild, Josh Tveit.

He was preceded in death by his parents; three stepsisters; and stepbrother.

Memorial contributions in Mr. Tveit's memory may be made to the Livingston Memorial Visiting Nurse Association hospice, 1996 Eastman Ave., Suite 101, Ventura, CA 93003, or to the Rotary Club of Ventura East Foundation Inc. (for educational scholarships) in care of Joe Strohman, 1050 S. Kimball Road, Ventura, CA 93004.

A service of commemoration will be held in Ventura to be announced at a later date and time. Call 805-64638 for further information.

Arrangements are under the direction of the Ted Mayr Funeral Home and Crematory, 3150 Loma Vista Road, Ventura.