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.
