Robert A. Ware Nov. 10, 1925 -Jul. 21, 2013 Resident of Livermore Robert was born in his family’s residence in Takoma Park, Maryland. He was the youngest child of his parents, Hext Perry Ware and Katherine Beatrice Ware. Robert’s parents and three siblings predeceased him. He served his apprenticeship as a fire fighter during his teen years when he was a “fire house brat”. Robert studied firefighting procedures and evolutions at the nearby University of Maryland and was awarded his first firefighter certification by the University on September 9, 1941. He was inducted into the fire department’s membership in December 1941. Shortly after his senior year of high school, Robert enrolled in the Maritime Commission’s apprentice seamens program. He transferred to the Navy after six months training and was assigned to an Air Sea Rescue Squadron as an S1/c. He was the only certified firefighter in his section and was rapidly promoted to PO/2c. His enlistment in the Navy was for the duration of the war plus six months. Robert returned home after his discharge and married his high school sweetheart, Norma Harris, on July 4, 1946 and continued his fire protection studies at the U of M. They resided in Silver Spring MD until June 1948 when he accepted a job offer from the Los Alamos Laboratory and was assigned to the weapons division, then at Sandia Laboratory, Sandia Army Base, Albuquerque, NM. The “Z” division, as it was known, was absorbed into Sandia Corporation, when the AEC changed the mission assignment effective November, 1949. At that time, Robert was recognized as an Atomic Pioneer. He was employed at Sandia, including his Los Alamos service, for forty years. Robert Was transferred to Sandia’s Livermore Laboratory in December 1959 and was assigned the dual functions of Fire Marshal and resident Fire Protection Engineer. He established the Las Positas Technical Services Co., a fire protection business, after his retirement from Sandia. Robert was granted life membership in the Western Fire chiefs Association and the International Association of Fire Chiefs. He was a founding director and a member for life in the California Firemen’s Muster Association. Robert conducted a 71 year quest for his family history. It began with his father relating the oral history as he knew it. Robert picked up the gauntlet, so to speak, and gathered thirty-five generations of his ancestors that were rich in English and Scottish history back to the year 900. He was most proud of the fact that seven of his eight great grandparents descended from colonial families. He proudly referred to himself as a Colonial-American. Robert is survived by Norma Harris Ware, his loving companion for seventy years and spouse for sixty-seven years, his son, Robert Bruce, daughter-in-law, Zulia, and granddaughter, Sasha;daughter, Barbara Brenzel, and son-in-law, Douglas Brenzel. He will be interned at the San Joaquin Valley National Cemetery with Military Honors. Callaghan Mortuary 925 447-2942
Source: Contra Costa Times (Walnut Creek, CA) – Friday, July 26, 2013
Only 15 years my senior, Uncle Bobby will always be remembered with great love. He and his beloved wife, Norma, were more than Uncle and Aunt, they were always my most cherished relatives. Bob and I were both interested in genealogy and shared many genealogical detective stories. As a little girl, I remember Uncle Bobby coming home to Tacoma Park Md. from the Navy when I would sit on the arm of a rocking chair and comb his curly locks and listen to tales from far away. In later years when Bob came to Florida to visit his parents, we would spend an evening together reminiscing. Bob, I miss you a lot. Your loving niece, Bessie Mae.