ANTHONY, Romuald (KI6CI)
Obituary
February 13, 2011 12:05 PM
ANTHONY, Romuald
(December 17, 1917 - December 28, 2010). Rom was born in Chicago,
Illinois of immigrant parents. His father died early in his life and
was raised for several years by his single mother and was required to
leave high school to go to work. During the deep depression he
attended and paid his way through YMCA Evening High School to obtain
his education and was admitted to University of Chicago where he
graduated in 1944 with a B.S. in Physics. Rom came to California in
1945 to work for the Naval Ordinance Test Station in China Lake in
optical instrumentation and research. Following his work with the
NOTS, he entered private industry and created the Infra Red and
Optical Laboratory at Convair in San Diego. Later Rom was General
Manager for Photo-Research in Hollywood and finally came to Santa
Barbara with Electro-Optical Industries until his retirement in 1998
at the age of 81.
Rom participated in community activities to encourage high school
students in their pursuit of careers in science, music and the arts.
In San Diego, as Vice-president of the committee for San Diego Hall
of Science and Industry, he created the Meet the Junior Scientist
group. Later Rom was the General Chairman of an Arts Festival in
Santa Monica, where he encouraged teen groups to present their
talents playing kitchen utensils to create music. In Santa Barbara,
he organized the annual High School Photographic Salon exhibitions.
The exhibitions brought out 265 students participants.
Rom enjoyed photography and was president of the Goleta Valley photo
club for two years. His prints were exhibited in galleries in San
Diego, the Channel Island National Park headquarters, in Santa
Monica, Manhattan Beach, and in New York. He was also an avid HAM
radio operator with his wife, Barbara, and was on call to render
emergency services in Santa Barbara area for fourteen years.
Rom is survived by his beloved wife of 38 years, Barbara, his two
children, Jean Pedersen of Ojai, CA, and Karl Anthony of Encinitas,
CA, along with five grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren. No
services are scheduled at this time.