Robert Lawrence Lopez, known to all as Bob, passed into Heaven on January 7, 2020. He was embraced by the loving arms of his family as he left us. A larger than life man of integrity and faith in God, he leaves his adoring wife Virginia, seven children, eleven grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren. Though the loss of “Grandpa” leaves a hole in this world that can never be filled again, his lifelong example of honesty, tolerance, love, and trust in Jesus will live forever in all who knew him. He was 85 years old.
Bob was born at his aunt’s house on Center Street in Ventura, CA on February 18, 1934, the son of Lawrence Lopez and Carmen Palomino Lopez. He grew up in Ojai and graduated from Nordhoff High School in 1952. As a boy, he loved living on the family ranch and exploring the outdoors. After graduating from high school, he soon enlisted in the U.S. Air Force and served our nation for six years. In 1958, by then a member of the Air Force Reserves, he met his eternal love, Virginia Macias of Ventura, when she attended a surprise birthday party for him at the urging of mutual friends. He fell madly in love with her, and they married in February of 1960 at the San Buenaventura Mission in Ventura. Thus began a marriage that would last for nearly sixty years, produce eight children, and see them travel the world together.
In 1957, he began a career as an electrical engineer for the Department of Defense, working for the Navy at the Pacific Missile Test Center in Pt. Mugu for more than 35 years. For the rest of his life, he was constantly active in the community in many capacities. First and foremost was his devotion to St. Mary Magdalen Church in Camarillo. The late Monseigneur John Hughes often referred to him as, “the pillar of the church.” Bob served as a eucharistic minister for more than 25 years, was a leading member of the Knights of Columbus, and since his duties also included that of sacristan, he was actually given the keys to the church because he so often needed to be there. Bob also was a professed member of the Secular Franciscan Order and a leader of the Palm Society, an organization that grew palm trees from the seeds of palms at the chapel garden then donated them to the church to be sold at fiesta as a fundraiser. He was so constantly involved in church activities that Virginia often referred to him as “Father Lopez,” a term of affection that always made him smile. He ended nearly every conversation, in person or on the phone, with the words, “God bless you.”
His other activities were many. He was leader in the local Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts, coached in the Camarillo Pony Baseball Association, was a member of the local American Legion, a member of the Oxnard-Ocotlan, Mexico Sister Cities Organization, and for many years ministered and gave communion to incarcerated youth at the California Youth Authority. Later in life, Bob became extremely interested in geneology and spent years researching and documenting his family’s roots.
At home, he loved gardening. It is natural that this man of such infinite love for life so enjoyed growing new life in any form. Perhaps it is our image of him on a sunny day, smiling and wearing his broad straw hat, digging and planting his trees, plants and flowers that we will remember most.
Bob is survived by his wife Virginia, daughter Christine (husband Michael), son Michael (fiancé Barbara Burns), son Robert (wife Candee), son Rick (wife Dawn), son Raymond (husband Hauoli Smith-Lopez), daughter Rachel (fiancé Sean), son Anthony, and his many grandchildren and great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his beloved daughter Susan in 1981. There will be a public viewing at 6:00 pm and Rosary at 7:00 pm on Friday, January 17, 2020 at St. Mary Magdalene Church, 25 N. Las Posas Rd. in Camarillo. Funeral Service will be at 10:00 am on Saturday, January 18, also at St. Mary Magdalene Church. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations can be made to St. Mary Magdalene Church.