Robert Joseph Renard Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information

Obituary Obituary Dr. Robert Joseph Renard Dr. Robert (Bob) Joseph Renard passed away of natural causes on August 27, 2019, at his home in Monterey, CA, in the presence of family. He was born to parents Frank and Eleonora (Wozniak) Renard in 1923 in Green Bay, WI. Bob joined the U.S. Army in 1943, serving honorably during several African and European campaigns in a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Heavy Pontoon Bridge Building unit (Patton’s 3rd Army), until December 1945. He married his wife of 69 years, Dorothy Mae (Fruik) Renard (1927-2016), in Green Bay, WI, in 1947. Bob served as a meteorological aide with the U.S. Weather Service in Green Bay, and as a research meteorologist with the Jet Stream Project, before moving his young family to Monterey, CA, in 1952, after completing a Master of Science degree in Meteorology from the University of Chicago. He quickly became a pillar of the local community when he joined the faculty of the Naval Post Graduate School (NPS) on the Peninsula, where he remained a valued contributor for the rest of his life. During his formal tenure at NPS, Bob earned his Ph.D. in Meteorology (1970, Florida State University); assumed the Chairmanship of the NPS Meteorology Department (1970); was awarded the U.S. Department of Commerce (NOAA) “John Campanius Holm Award for sustained excellence in observing and reporting Monterey Peninsula weather”; was awarded the prestigious U.S. Department of Commerce (NOAA) Thomas Jefferson Award for 31 years of “… unusual and outstanding accomplishments in the field of meteorological observations…”; and was awarded the title of “Distinguished Professor” by NPS (1990). Bob retired in 1990, after 47 years of combined military and civil government service. Bob was a prolific volunteer and positive force in his community. In addition to his official meteorological work, Bob enjoyed civic membership and volunteering with groups such as the Stage Stompers Square Dance Club; the Monterey Maritime Museum (as a Docent); the Monterey Dunes Natural History Association; San Carlos Catholic Parish (as a Eucharistic Minister, ministering to sick and otherwise homebound parishioners); and the National Weather Service (as an official volunteer weather observer and recorder for Monterey Peninsula). Bob also enjoyed traveling with his wife, Dorothy, having been all over the world (including a stint at the South Pole), as well spending time with his loved ones, family and friends alike. Bob is survived by his four children (Ron, Debbie, Rick, and Carol), ten grandchildren, and ten great grandchildren. The family would like to thank all friends and caregivers that contributed to Bob's wellbeing and quality of life. Bob’s life will be celebrated at various events across the Peninsula on Friday, September 20, 2019, all of which are open to friends, family, and anyone wishing to pay their respects: 7:45am - A Catholic mass will be celebrated in Bob’s memory at San Carlos Cathedral, 500 Church St, Monterey, CA 93940. 3:30pm - There will be a short service with military honors for Bob at the California Central Coast Veterans Cemetery, 2900 Parker Flats Cut Off Rd, Seaside, CA 93955, followed immediately by the placement of ashes at the same cemetery. 4:30 - 6:00 pm - The family will host an open house reception at the Renard home in Monterey, open to any wishing to pay their respects, even if they could not attend the other services. Please contact the family at 831-646-0717 for the address, if needed. In lieu of flowers family requests donations in Bob's name to the Alzheimer's Association (http://alz.org). To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Robert Joseph Renard, please visit our floral store.

Robert Joseph Renard

December 22, 1923 - August 27, 2019