Bob Blaine, a long-time resident of Morgan Hill, passed away Oct. 21, 2024 from complications related to Alzheimer’s. He was 92 years old.

Robert (Bob) Blaine was born in 1932 to Clarence and Carolyn Blaine in Morristown, N.J. Bob grew up in the Mendham/Morristown area. Active in Boy Scouts, Bob attended the Boy Scout Jamboree in France in 1947, and achieved the rank of Eagle Scout in 1950.

Bob enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1950 and entered the Naval Academy as a midshipman in 1951, graduating in June 1955 with his B.S. in Naval Sciences. At the time Bob left the Navy in 1967 he had achieved the rank of Lieutenant Commander. After he left the Navy, Bob worked at Lockheed Missiles and Space Company for 21 years until his retirement in 1989.

Bob met his first wife, Irene, when they were neighbors while he was stationed in San Diego. They were married in 1959. Their first daughter, Sarah, arrived in 1962, followed by a second daughter, Amy, in 1964. When Bob joined Lockheed, the family moved to Cupertino. In 1974 the family moved to Morgan Hill.

As his daughters were growing up, Bob was active with them in the Uvas Canyon 4-H club. He served as a director for the Gavilan Water District and became an active supporter for the South Valley Symphony. He also participated in the local chapter of the American Association of University Women, which his wife, Irene, had help establish.

After Irene’s death in 1984, and Bob’s subsequent retirement from Lockheed in 1989, Bob learned to paint watercolors, taught bridge, and was an active bowler. A life-long card player, Bob was always up for a game.

Bob met his second wife, Helen Lindsey, playing bridge at the Morgan Hill Community Center. After a brief courtship, they married in April 1991. Bob and Helen spent many happy years playing competitive bridge, traveling, and enjoying life in Morgan Hill. Much of Bob’s time was spent doing projects around the house — he was able to fix almost anything!

Bob’s survivors include his wife, Helen; daughters Sarah and Amy (Rick); five granddaughters; and seven great-grandchildren with an eighth due in March 2025.

Per Bob’s request, there will be no formal memorial service and his ashes will be spread at sea by the Neptune Society.