Robert E. Millsap Jr., 78, of Idyllwild, died Tuesday, June 7, 2005 following a long illness.

Mr. Millsap was born Jan. 15, 1927 in Los Angeles. He attended the John Burroughs Junior High School and Los Angeles High School where he was a track team sprinter, graduating in 1945.

He joined the Merchant Marines, serving from 1945 to 1947, and was part of the Naval Occupation Force from 1947 to 1949 in Japan. In 1953, he graduated from the University of Southern California School of Architecture and was a member of the Kappa Alpha Fraternity.

Mr. Millsap married Ruth Scanlon in 1951. They raised four children in San Marino. Ruth Millsap died in 1974. On June 25, 1977, he married Nancy Freese Brown.

Mr. Millsap enjoyed a very active career in architecture, working first at A.C. Martin and then at Robert E. McKee where he retired in 1989.

Upon retirement, he and his wife moved to Idyllwild. He was very active in the community, helping in various volunteer activities, including his role as chairman of Building and Grounds for Idyllwild Arts. His dedication to the school and its long-term master plan shows throughout the campus. His strong commitment to standards applies to current and future building designs and landscaping. He also has a studio in his name on campus.

In addition, Mr. Millsap redesigned what is now St. Hugh’s Episcopal Church. He was known and loved by all who knew him and in Idyllwild, that was basically everyone. His knowledge and humor will be sorely missed.

A memorial service is scheduled for 11 a.m. Saturday, June 25 at St. Hugh’s Episcopal Church on South Circle and Tahquitz drives. A reception will follow at The Creek House.

Along with his wife, Nancy, he is survived by a sister, Bette Jameson; son William and Connie Millsap and their children, Kendra and Kristen; son Robert Millsap III; son Peter and Giffi Millsap and their son, Aiden; daughter Julie and John Munnerlyn and their children, Ivy and Rosemary; stepson Tyler and Leslie Brown and their children, Brandon and Meghan; stepdaughter Carey and David Lipscomb and their children, Josh and Christine; stepson Whitney and Robin Brown; stepdaughter Wendy and Arvid Molitor and their children, Paul and Gates; and stepson Matthew Brown.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Parkinson’s Resource Organization, 74-090 El Paseo, Suite 102, Palm Desert, CA 92260, or to Idyllwild Arts Foundation, P.O. Box 38, Idyllwild, CA 92549.