Robert Flaxbeard, beloved brother, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather died this past
December 11, 2019 at the age of 97.
Born in Council Bluffs, Iowa to Paul and Agnes Flaxbeard, Bob was the second of four children.
After graduating from Thomas Jefferson High School in 1940, Bob enrolled at Iowa State where
his college education was cut short with the outbreak of WWll. Bob enlisted in the Army Airforce
in 1942.
After completion of his military service, he returned to Iowa where he met his future wife,
Patricia Johnson, of Omaha, Nebraska. They married in 1948, and Bob resumed his college
education, earning his Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering from Iowa State.
Upon graduation from college, Bob and Patricia moved to Chicago, Illinois for a brief period
before relocating in California in 1952. In 1954, they bought a home in Whittier, California where
they raised their three children, Dan, Judy, and David. Bob was employed, in what would
become a 30 year career, at Union 76 corporate headquarters in downtown Los Angeles.
In 1981, after 33 years of marriage, Bob's wife, Patricia passed away. In 1984, Bob met and
married Claire Dwyer. Now retired, Bob and Claire relocated to Fallbrook, California.
With a shared love for community service, golf, dancing, crossword puzzles, and board games,
all centered around their strong Catholic faith, Bob and Claire became active members at St.
Peter the Apostle Church. Bob became a Knight of Columbus member who enjoyed
volunteering his time for the church community.
In 2004, after 20 years of marriage, Bob's second wife, Claire passed away. Bob remained
active in the church for the next several years.
Bob was preceded in death by his first wife, Patricia, his second wife, Claire, and his oldest son,
Daniel. He is survived by his siblings; Roylyn Parke of Houston, Don Flaxbeard, and Pat
Carlson, both of Omaha, his children; Judith Moody and David Flaxbeard, seven grandchildren;
Tony Flaxbeard, Stephanie Flaxbeard, Sean Moody, Jim Moody, Shannon Gartner, Helene
Flaxbeard, Paul Flaxbeard and three great-grandchildren.
Bob will be remembered as a loyal friend, loving relative, and devout Catholic. Bob's ashes will
be interred at San Luis Rey Mission. His memorial Mass is set for Saturday, February 29th at St.
Peter the Apostle Catholic Church at 12:00 PM. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to
The Alzheimer's Association at https://act.alz.org/site/Donation