Later, Bob and Norma retired to Santa Paula, where they actively supported the Santa Paula library and the Boys’ and Girls’ Club, sponsoring benefit jazz concerts featuring “Bob and His Friends.” In appreciation, Santa Paula has honored Bob and Norma as Co-Citizens of the Year. Bob also visited high school jazz bands around the county, discussing his experiences in music while noodling on the keyboard.Bob’s passions in life were Norma, his family, music, writing, gardening, friends and sailing. He almost always had some kind of a sailboat, and he was comfortable, contented and closer to God out on the ocean. He was philosophical and spiritual, wise enough not to look for God too high up or too far away.He liked simple things: walks with Norma – almost always holding hands – hugs from his children and grandchildren, a good joke and laugh, the kind words that he gave to everyone he met, a smile, the vegetables he produced from his garden in astonishing profusion, a good jazz riff by a fellow musician.He was a strong man and rare for his integrity, deep sense of humor, warm enthusiasm and generous nature. He was a wonderful father, a kind man and full of fun. He had his own light, shining it on others, leaving a trail of kindness wherever he went.Bob is survived by his wife, Norma; his children, Chuck and wife Susan of Camarillo, Carolkay MacKay and husband Robb of Ojai, Roger and wife Jocelyn of Portland, Oregon, and Patricia Wilson of Ventura; grandchildren, Charlie, Rob, Katherine, David, Forrest, Fletcher, Trevor and Michael; and great-grandchildren, Michelaina and Tucker.In his humble way, Bob did not want to create a fuss by being remembered at a memorial service. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Blanchard Community Library, 119 N. 8th St., Santa Paula, CA 93060.Death NoticeNina McDonald, 78, Ojai homemaker, died April 10, 2004. Arrangements by Pierce Brothers Stetler Mortuary.
Obituaries
April 14, 2004
Obituaries
Charles H.
“Bob” AndrewsFormer county supervisor, author, musician and humanitarian Charles H. “Bob” Andrews died on April 3 following a brief illness. He was 87.Born on November 20, 1916 in Trenton, New Jersey, Bob was introduced to the piano at an early age by his mother and quickly mastered the instrument. By the time he was in his mid teens, he was spending the summer vacations playing with big bands at resorts in New York’s Catskills area. Throughout his life, Bob always took time from other jobs to get together with his friends in jazz and perform the ballads that he loved.Bob was working as a reporter in Flint, Michigan when he met his beloved Norma, the steadfast, faithful and undimming light of his life. They were married in 1939 and would have celebrated their 65th anniversary on April 15.Bob and Norma moved to the West Coast in 1945 and lived in Los Angeles while Bob worked as a technical writer for North American Aviation.In 1948, Bob took his family to the Ojai Valley, where he worked as a reporter and editor for The Ojai before founding The Ojai Valley News in 1949. He was co-founder of the Ojai Valley Junior Chamber of Commerce and for seven years served as chairman of the March of Dimes.After Bob’s eldest child survived a 1950 battle with polio, he wrote the best selling “No Time for Tears,” with forwards by Eleanor Roosevelt and Chief Justice Earl Warren. The book was condensed in Reader’s Digest and carried in serial form by both the Los Angeles Times and the New York Times.At about the same time, Bob was elected to the Ventura County Board of Supervisors, where he was instrumental in the creation of the Channel Islands Harbor.In 1961, President John F. Kennedy appointed Bob regional director of the FHA. He served for three years before accepting a position as vice president of the Leisure World Corp. Moving his family to Walnut Creek, Bob directed the construction of the Leisure World community there.Bob and Norma returned to Ventura County nine years later, building a new home in the Upper Ojai, while Bob served as an independent land development consultant.
