Robert J. Antal, 78, died May 7, 2002, at an Alzheimer’s care facility in Huntington Beach, Calif.

He was born June 5, 1923, in Cleveland, Ohio.

Mr. Antal moved to Idyllwild with his wife, Ellen, in 1981 after their children were all married and he had retired from his career as a teacher. They lived in Idyllwild until 1996 when they had to leave because of Mr. Antal’s increasing struggle with Alzheimer’s disease.

He taught English, reading and algebra at the high school level in the Ontario, Calif., area for 26 years and also taught at the Atascadero High School in Atascadero, Calif.

Mr. Antal attended Fenn College (now Cleveland State University) in Cleveland and majored in English, graduating with a B.A. in 1949. He worked as the art editor of the college magazine, Topper.

Throughout his years of teaching, raising a family, and in retirement, he never gave up his love for art and drawing and was considered a talented artist.

He married Ellen Aug. 16, 1947, and the couple moved to California in 1949 so Mr. Antal could start a master’s program at UCLA.

He is survived by his wife, Ellen Antal, of Huntington Beach; two sons, Thomas, of Fountain Valley, Calif., and David Antal, of Berlin, Germany; and a daughter, Jill Boocock, of Fountain Valley.

A memorial service was held Monday in Huntington Beach.

Donations may be sent in Mr. Antal’s memory to the Estancia High School, 2323 Placentia Ave., Costa Mesa, CA 92627. Checks should be made out to the Estancia Faculty Club, attention C.R. Wadsley, and should have “Robert Antal” written on the memo line.