Bob J. Roe
Bob J. Roe, age 88, passed away peacefully Monday, November 7, 2022, at Oak Cottage of Santa Barbara from the effects of Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s, with his wife, Suzi Sheller, by his side.
Bob was born April 23, 1934, in Excelsior Springs, Missouri, to Irvin and Hattie Roe. He attended New Mexico College of Agriculture and Mechanical Arts (now New Mexico State College) in Las Cruces. He received a BS in Mechanical Engineering using the College’s co-op program alternating school with work at White Sands Missile Range conducting rocket launches. After graduation, Bob moved to California where he worked for Douglas Aircraft, Rocketdyne, and Northrop, before settling in at ITT-Gilfillan, from which he retired in 1993. He specialized in radar designed for military and civilian applications using sophisticated proprietary CAD programs. He received several patents for his work.
Bob loved sports cars, especially MGs and Porsches. He did body-off restorations on an MGB-TD and a 914-6 Porsche. He and Suzi, who met at a SB Porsche Club meeting at Mom’s Italian Village in 1987, enjoyed years competing in various Porsche track events and participating in Porsche Club social activities throughout the US and Canada. Bob was a member of the Porsche Club for almost 40 years and served in many capacities in the Santa Barbara Region, including President and newsletter Editor.
To travel in comfort as they raced at far flung racetracks, they took up RVing, and ended up visiting all 48 contiguous states and the Canadian provinces. When RVing became too much work, they started cruising and enjoyed more than 30 ocean and river cruises as well as dozens of land tours and solo visits to countries around the world. They joyfully followed their motto: “Life is short; live it now!”
In addition to Suzi, Bob is survived by his four children from his first marriage, Mark, Robin, Dacia, and Keyth Roe, as well as two grandsons, Cody and Max.
His family thanks the staff at Oak Cottage where he resided for the last year and a half for their loving care.
Bob was a loving, charming, multi-talented man, with the most beautiful blue eyes and a smile that would light up a room. He was greatly loved and will be sorely missed by all his family and friends.
At his request, there will be no formal service. Donations in his memory may be made to the Alzheimer’s or Parkinson’s Association or your favorite charity.