Robert D. Sloan, 1927 - 2010

From the Santa Barbara News Press, September 15, 2010 3:16 AM:

Robert D. Sloan passed away August 29, 2010 with his wife Virginia, and son Scott, by his side. He was 82 years old. Bob was a steadfast family man with a gentle heart who was dearly loved. He is survived by his wife and children: Cydney Brooks (Ken); Robert B. Sloan, and Scott (Rebecca), Grand children include Adam and Douglas Brooks; Jennifer, Kimberly and Christine Sloan; Alex Sloan, Lorraine and Anthony Symns. 

Born December 25, 1927 in Loma Linda, California, Bob grew up nearby in Redlands, and graduated from the Webb School in Claremont. He attended the Colorado School of Mines and earned a professional degree in petroleum refining engineering, and was employed by Richfield Oil in Long Beach for two years. He married Virginia Bachmann in Newport Beach in 1951 before returning to the School of Mines for a Masters Degree in 1952 and a Ph.D. in 1956. He was a member of the Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity. During his college days he excelled at pole vaulting and skipped school one day to compete in an event in Denver. He was found out when a very large photo of his successful first place vault appeared on the front page of the Denver Post. 

Bob worked for Royal Oil Company in Denver, Colorado before moving to Santa Barbara in 1956, opening his own research laboratory, Delta Research. Delta later became Sloan Research Industries and performed contract research and analysis for clients; Hughes Aircraft, NASA, and many others. Bob's findings for NASA were responsible for several safety delays before launch during the Apollo moon program. Sloan Research Industries was eventually bought out and taken public as Technology of Materials. 

Leisure activities in Bob's life in Santa Barbara included yachting - mostly to the Channel Islands with family and friends aboard. He was a member of the Santa Barbara Power Squadron and the Yacht Club. Bob also enjoyed flying both real airplanes and building and flying radio-controlled model airplanes - the latter became the "all consuming" hobby of his life. He was a life member of the Santa Barbara Radio Control Modelers. Bob's artistic talents took many paths from occasional painting to sculpting and cartoons. 

With his boys he was very active in boy scouts and was scoutmaster of troop 35. This activity included backpack trips in the mountains of Santa Barbara and in the Sierras. Bob served on the board of the Mission Council of the Boy Scouts of America in the 1960's and 1970's and earned the Silver Beaver award.

Virginia and Bob traveled widely. Many of these trips were to Europe to ski and some to bike. The favorite respite for them with their family and friends is their home in Coffee Creek in the mountains of the Trinity Alps in northern California. Through the past 35 years this has continued to be a happy refuge for all. 

Among all of Bob's traits and accomplishments he was a man of exemplary personal integrity, passion, and caring. He will be missed by all whose lives he touched. 
Memorial services will be held Saturday September 25, 2010 at the Valle Verde Retirement Community at 900 Calle De Los Amigos. The service will be held in the Social Room at 4:30 in the afternoon. Refreshments will follow. 

Donations in his name may be made to the Los Padres Chapter of The Boy Scouts of America at 4000 Modoc Road, Santa Barbara, Ca. 93105 or your favorite charity.