Robert Walter Lichtsinn

Robert “Bob” W. Lichtsinn

October 31, 1929 – August 16, 2019

Bob Lichtsinn, 89, passed from this world to the loving arms of Jesus on August 16, 2019 at his home in Fountain Valley CA, following a courageous nine-month battle with brain cancer.

Bob was born in Indianapolis IN on October 31, 1929 to Edmund and Lydia Lichtsinn, and grew up there with older siblings Ed and Dorothea. He attended Lutheran schools from first grade through high school, and had begun business school when he was inducted in the US Marine Corps. Following his honorable discharge, he married his high school sweetheart Marjorie Folkening in Indianapolis (June 7, 1952) and they moved to southern California. They had three children – Jeff, Kevin and Karen – while he was employed by the Southern California Gas Company. They moved from Orange to Simi Valley, then settled in Westminster in ‘74.  Bob began working at NorthStar, a metal roll-forming company in Gardena, eventually becoming a partner with owner/ friend/mentor Bill Sornborger. Together they were known for living out their Christian faith, treating their employees like family and their customers with great respect.

In August 2003, Marge passed away. Bob remarried to Marla Koepp Judd in Huntington Beach (October 2, 2004) and they made their home in Fountain Valley CA. Upon “retiring” in 2008, he continued his many volunteer activities including SCORE, as well as playing competitive volleyball, and lending his beautiful bass voice to choral groups at church and in the community. He particularly enjoyed singing with the Orange County Master Chorale when they performed with the student choral groups at Concordia University, Irvine CA.

Bob’s diagnosis of gliosarcoma in November 2018 may have slowed him but didn’t dampen his  zest for life: he remained a man of exemplary faith, positive attitude, warm sense of humor, insatiable love of chocolate, and compassion for people of all ages, from all walks of life.  

He is survived by his wife, Marla; son Jeff (Cami) Lichtsinn of Maricopa AZ and daughter Karen (Darren) Harper of Cedar Park TX; seven grandchildren and one great-granddaughter; nieces and nephews.  He was preceded in death by first wife Marge; parents Edmund and Lydia Lichtsinn; brother Rev. Edmund Lichtsinn; sister Dorothea Lichtsinn; and son Kevin.

Special thanks to staff at Chao Comprehensive Cancer Center (UCI), Edinger Medical Group and Pacific Shores Oncology Group for their care and caring.

A celebration of Bob’s life will be held on Saturday , Sept. 14, 1 pm, at St. John’s Lutheran Church, Orange CA.  Bob requested “casual clothes – no suits and ties – and no flowers, no fuss”; and, directed memorial gifts to Bread for the World Institute (Washington DC) and Giving Children Hope (Buena Park CA).

“To laugh often and much… to find the best in others…to leave the world a bit better…to know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived… this is to have succeeded.” 

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