In Memory: Robert C. Luce
Robert (Bob) Luce, a Ben Lomond resident for over 40 years, passed away peacefully on July 5, 2022 after a two-year battle with advanced dementia.
Born in Highland Park, Michigan, to Harold and Mildred Luce, Bob was raised in Oak Park, Illinois and received his BS in Electrical Engineering from Purdue University, where he was a member of Acacia Fraternity. First working for Bell Laboratories in New Jersey, he then served in the US Army during the Korean conflict, assigned to the NSA in its formative years. During his time in Washington DC, he met and married Nancy Pugh, the woman who would be his life’s partner until her death in 1996 at age 62. Following his military service, he attended the Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania earning an MBA in Finance.
His education would serve as the foundation of Bob’s career, spent primarily in the aerospace and defense industries. Following graduate school, he was first employed in southern California, where he and Nancy resided in Santa Monica. His next opportunity took the family to Spain for two years, after which they returned to the US and settled in Rye, New York. In 1981, Bob was recruited by his first boss, from 20 years previous at Litton Industries, to be CFO of Kaiser Aerospace and Electronics in San Jose, where he stayed until his retirement in 2000.
A life-long ham radio enthusiast, Bob was first licensed at age 16, call sign: W9EFK. He was a member of the SLV Ham Radio Club and Collins Collectors Association. His interest focused on the restoration of radios, test equipment, and tube collections. He indulged many hours of retirement toward his hobby.
Known fondly to family and friends as ‘Grandpa Bob’, he was a welcoming and enthusiastic host to many for themed parties around his pool. He also was known to revel in the opportunity to show visitors his wide variety of collections from his international travels. A service provider once remarked, “Mr. Bob’s house, it’s like a museum!”. Those who never met Bob may well recognize him as the extremely cautious driver on Highway 9 in his iconic 90’s era, forest-green Range Rover.
Bob’s other long-lived interest was a love of dogs. The family had many different breeds over the years, yet Golden Retrievers and Border Terriers were a near constant part of the two to four canines in his household at any given time.
Bob is survived by his daughter and son-in-law, Diane and Gary McCormick; two granddaughters, Kristin Luce and Katherine McCormick; and former daughter-in-law, Laurie Sims. He was preceded in death by his wife, Nancy Luce; son, Christopher Luce; and granddaughter, Taylor Luce. His older brother, Harold Luce also passed away in 2022.
Contributions on Bob’s behalf can be directed to the Ben Lomond Fire Department.
