Robert Herman Karcher

Robert Herman (Paul) Karcher Known by many as Bob, and to his siblings Bobby. Bob was born on September 20,1931 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania to his parents Arthur and Frances (Friedline). He gave up his soul to the Lord on June 27, 2017 at his home in Temecula, California. He died of natural causes. Bob grew up in Pittsburgh, where he graduated from Carrick High School. Following high school he attended Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio, on a football scholarship, where he studied physics and mathematics, graduating with a degree in physics. After graduating from university, he accepted a position with Martin Aviation in Baltimore, Maryland. His aerospace career eventually led him to Southern California. It was while living in Santa Monica he met Carol Ann Clayton, his future wife. In 1963 they were married, living first in Pacific Palisades. As their young family gradually became larger, they moved the family to Mission Viejo in 1972. They remained in the same house in Mission Viejo for over 30 years. It was in this house in 2003 that Bob’s beloved wife Carol departed to the Lord. He was employed for many years by TRW and also for Rockwell International as a nuclear engineer. He was involved in National Defense related projects such as the Minuteman Missile program, as well as working on projects related to the Space Shuttle. Toward the end of his career, he was involved with projects developing space based defense systems. After retiring as an aerospace engineer, Bob remained in California so that he could be close to his children and grandchildren. Bob was a faithful member of the Greek Orthodox Church, having attended St. Paul in Irvine for many years, and most recently at St. Nicholas in Murrieta. Bob is survived by siblings Edmund (Bud), Edna, Norma, and Carole; four sons Fr. Stephen and spouse Olga of Reno, Michael of Temecula, Fr. John and spouse Eva of Tracy, and David of Temecula; and his grandchildren Theodore, Alexander, Christiana, Sava, Athanasios, Eleni, Joseph, Anna, Melanie, Maria, Naomi, and Nicholas. Bob was predeceased by his wife Carol Ann, and his youngest brother Richard. A Trisagion service will be held 6pm Sunday July 2nd at the England Family Mortuary, 27135 Madison Ave. Temecula, CA 92590. The Funeral service will be held 11am Monday July 3rd at St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church, 41132 Guava St. Murrieta, CA 92562. The funeral will be followed immediately by a mercy meal. The graveside and burial service with be held 10am Wednesday July 5th, at El Toro Memorial Park 25751 Trabuco Rd. Lake Forest, CA 92630. Any donations in Bob’s memory may be made to his home parish of St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church in Murrieta.