Our father, Robert Vernon Alcorn, (Bob), at the age of 87, passed away on June 29, 2019, in Eureka, where he had recently moved to be near family.

Bob was born in Cedar Rapids, Iowa on January 10, 1932, to his loving parents William V. Alcorn and Mimi E. Alcorn. He and his parents moved to Long Beach in 1938, where he attended school and was a member of the Boy Scouts and The Order of De Molay. In 1949 he graduated from Long Beach Polytechnic High School and went on to continue his education at Long Beach City College and Oregon State College in Corvallis (now Oregon State University), graduating in 1953. While at Oregon State Bob joined Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity, where he gained several lifelong friends. A few years later he returned to school and earned his Master’s in Business Administration from Long Beach State University.

During his college years Bob was in the Navy ROTC, so upon graduation from Oregon State he joined the Navy and served aboard the USS Los Angeles with the JAG office. During his time in the US Navy, Bob married Miriam (Willy) Willis, whom he had met while they both attended college in Oregon. Following an honorable discharge from the navy, Bob and Willy made their home in Long Beach, where they raised their two children Lauren and Michael. He found his career with the Standard Register Co. where he was a sales manager, retiring in 1988 after 35 years of service. Also while in Long Beach Bob received the degrees of Freemasonry at Bixby Knowles Lodge in 1963. He later affiliated with Central Arizona Lodge in Sedona, Arizona and received his Golden Veteran’s award there in 2013 for 50 years of service.

Bob and Willy moved to Sedona and built their “dream home” after his retirement. Both of them enjoyed volunteering in their community, including the library, the Humane Society, the Adult Community Center, Meals on Wheels, and the Jazz on the Rocks Festival each year finding great satisfaction in helping others.

Willy went to be with the Lord in 2002 and left an emptiness in Bob’s heart that he carried the rest of his life. However, he continued to remain active in his volunteer endeavors and social pursuits such as his monthly poker group. He also was a member of the Village of Oak Creek Church of the Nazarene where he found many years of fellowship and support and renewed his faith. Family and friends from around the country frequently stopped to visit and enjoy one of his personalized tours of the red rock area and maybe a meal at one of his favorite spots. In December of 2018 he finally decided to leave his desert oasis and move to Eureka near his son’s house for a while.

Bob had a warm and easygoing nature. Everywhere he traveled he made friends easily with his sense of humor and outgoing way. He cherished his longtime friendships and loved his family dearly. He was a role model and mentor to many throughout his life. Bob enjoyed woodworking, traveling, hunting, fishing and jazz music and especially people. Time spent with good friends at the cabin in the mountains, known as the ELBO Room, was a family favorite and a favorite of many friends, great memories are still recalled to this day.

Bob is survived by his son Michael Alcorn and wife Suzanne, of Eureka, daughter Laurie Healy and partner Corey Finley of Comanche, Texas; granddaughter Shel Healy and partner Josh Davis of Stephenville ,Texas; granddaughter Joanne Estrada and husband Rafael of Fortuna. Great-granddaughter Ines Estrada and great-grandsons Matthew Estrada and Bryson Gillam.  

Bob was preceded on his journey by his parents William V. and Mimi Alcorn, his beloved wife Willy Alcorn, and granddaughter Kelly Alcorn.

He will be greatly missed by his family and friends. Interment of his ashes and a memorial will be held at Forest Lawn, Cypress, California in the fall.

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