Robert Lamson Obituary

LAMSON, Robert W. An administrator with Los Angeles City School District, and a resident of La Canada Flintridge for almost sixty years, died on December 3, 2008, in Glendale, California. He was 90. A native of Eagle Rock, he was a recipient of the Eagle award for outstanding service to public education and to his alma mater, Eagle Rock High School, where he distinguished himself on the track team. After receiving his B.A. degree from Occidental College in 1940, he studied education at Stanford University and earned his M.A. degree in education from U.S.C. He later did doctoral work at U.C.L.A. He was an officer in the United States Naval Air Corps, serving in Pensacola, Florida, where he trained naval aviators during World War II. He retired from the Naval Reserve as a Lieutenant Commander.
He worked as an elementary school teacher in El Monte before joining Los Angeles City School District, where he served for more than 30 years. He was an Area Superintendent and Division Head for many years, having responsibility for schools in south central Los Angeles, and later for much of the San Fernando Valley. He taught education at Occidental College and at Los Angeles Pierce College, and was recognized as an expert on public school finance. He was listed in Who's Who in Education, in The West, in America, and in the World. He was a proud founder of the United States Academic Decathalon, perhaps the most prestigious high school academic contest in the nation, serving as Vice President for two years and as a Board member for six years. Following his retirement, he earned a realtor's license and worked for Kielholtz Realty in La Canada. In 2003, at age 85, he was elected to the Board of Governors of the Occidental College Alumni Association. He was an avid fan of big band music and enjoyed entertaining civic groups with his love of music well into his 80's. His wife of 55 years, Jeannette Juett Lamson (Eagle Rock High School '37, Occidental College '41) predeceased him in 2004. He is survived by a son, Robert W. Lamson, Jr. of Pleasant Hill, California, daughters Kathleen Kusanovich of Grass Valley, California, and Nancy Wildy of Seal Beach, California, six grandchildren, and six great-grandchildren. A memorial service will take place at La Canada Presbyterian Church, 626 Foothill Blvd., La Canada Flintridge, on Saturday, December 13, 2008 at 12:30 p.m. Donations to the Occidental College Scholarship Fund may be made in his memory.