Robert Edward Montgomery

Memorial service to be held on August 7th, 2021 at St Pius X Catholic Church in Chula Vista, CA. 9am - Rosary, 10am - Mass, Reception to follow

Additional details and a save the date to come

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Bob Montgomery, 88, of San Diego, passed away Friday January 22, 2021. Services will be held in the Summer 2021.

   Born on April 20, 1932 at Mercy Hospital in San Diego, Bob spent his entire life in San Diego. He was a devoted husband, father, teacher, friend and mentor with boundless energy, a quick wit and the ability to connect with anyone he met.  Bob was, in fact, bigger than life itself.

   Son of Josephine Strain Montgomery and decorated Naval Officer, Admiral Alan Robert Montgomery, Bob and his sister Dorrie attended Elementary School in Coronado. After his parents divorced, his mother remarried stepfather, Wally Garber and the family moved to Encinitas. Bob graduated from San Dieguito Union High School in 1950.  At 17 years old, he enlisted in the U.S. Army and served his country as a corporal on the front lines in Korea and Japan from 1950 to 1952 at the height of the Korean War.

Upon returning, Bob attended college at San Diego State University on the GI bill and graduated with a BA in education in 1956.  Bob’s teaching career began at Lillian J. at Rice Elementary school where he met his future wife, Joan Dirr.  They married on July 6, 1957 and were blessed with three children, Pamella (Pam), Robert (Rob) and Patricia (Pattie). 

Continuing his education, Bob earned an MA in elementary school administration at SDSU while working summers at Chula Vista Parks and Recreation to make ends meet. In 1972 he received his PhD, in leadership and behavorial sciences from USIU.  Bob spent 35 years as a teacher and principal at Chula Vista Unified School District, retiring in 1991.  Fully retiring did not suit Bob’s desire to teach and mentor taking a job at National University training future teachers for many years.  His skills in communicating and connecting with others were an inspiration to so many and his two children Rob and Pattie both took his path and chose teaching as their life’s work as well. After Joan retired in 1995 they loved to travel, globe trotting with their close knit group of friends from St Pius Church.

A devoted Catholic, Bob served God giving his time and resources to St Pius, Kiwanis, Elks Club and Knights of Columbus.  If something needed to get done all you had to do was ask Bob.  But Bob was not all work.  He enjoyed golfing, camping, dining out and orchestrating parties at the Montgomery compound and being an awesome Grandpa to his grandkids.  Bob dedicated his life to three things, his family, his church and the children he helped educate.  Always with a welcoming smile, Bob made it a point of learning the name of everyone he met and no one could ever forget meeting Bob.  Bob is survived by his daughter Pam and husband Bill, son Rob, daughter Pattie and husband Pete and grandchildren, Kate, Conor, Monty and Robby.  Predeceased by his wife Joan and sister Dorrie Adessa.

In lieu of flowers we ask that you donate to Fisher Center for Alzheimer's Research Foundation alzinfo.org