Obituary of Robert Dawson

Robert Gene (Bob) Dawson died on June 20, 2017. He was born in Georgetown, TX on June 29, 1938. As the youngest of 4 boys, he was active in scouting, achieving Eagle Scout, and was a Brotherhood member of the Order of the Arrow. He enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps days after graduating from high school and was subsequently selected to attend the U.S. Naval Academy Preparatory School. He successfully competed for a presidential appointment and graduated with the class of 1962. Bob returned on leave to Georgetown to marry his best friend and life partner, June Burkhart. He chose to serve in the Marines, was designated a Marine Aviator on May 15, 1964, and a year later was flying combat missions over Vietnam. He spent two tours accumulating over 250 missions in the A-4 "Skyhawk". He also served with the ROK Marine Brigade as an air liaison officer at Hoi An, RVN. Ordered to the Naval Postgraduate School, he received a Master of Management degree and then served 3 and a half years at HQ USMC. Bob subsequently served as commanding officer in two squadrons, retiring as a Lieutenant Colonel – “Oorah!”. After Bob returned to Cal State Fullerton to obtain an MBA in finance, he then joined Hughes Aircraft company as an analyst, and later worked at Northrop on the B-2 program. While working, Bob and June began to travel, making a three-week tour of China in 1989, taking over 7 "Windstar Lines " cruises and river rafting trips down various rivers in the west including the Grand Canyon. Retiring from Raytheon as a Program manager in 2000, Bob and June began looking for the perfect place to enjoy retirement. They found it in Carmel Valley, looking across over to Garland Park. It was close enough to enjoy visiting their son Dan, their wonderful daughter in law Stefani, and talented granddaughters, Sierra and Sydney. Bob had time between clearing their property of the genista and other non-native plants and trees, to begin volunteering with local 501(c)(3) s. They continued to travel, highlighted by 4 safaris to east and South Africa. Bob especially enjoyed working on various projects with the Ventana Wilderness Alliance. He is survived by his wife, June, son Dan Dawson, daughter in law Stefani, granddaughters Sierra, and Sydney of Larkspur, CA., brothers Roger Dawson and Thomas Dawson of Victoria TX and Dr. George Dawson of Abilene TX. A celebration of life will be announced at a later date. In lieu of flowers or other memorials, please consider a donation to the Ventana Wilderness Alliance at ventanawild.org. Service Information