Robert “Bob” Eastin Read died Monday, Dec. 28, 2009 after a long battle with pancreatic cancer. He was 77. Services were Saturday in Santa Ana.

Bob was born March 13, 1932 in Santa Ana, Calif. to Morrie and Kathaleen Read. He received his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Elementary Education and Administration from California State University, Long Beach, and a Doctorate degree with a major in Administrative Personnel from University of Southern California. He taught fourth and sixth grades in the Santa Ana and Magnolia School Districts; was a principal in the Magnolia and Fountain Valley School Districts; served as Personnel Director, Assistant Superintendent and Interim Superintendent for the Fountain Valley School District; served as Assistant Superintendent in the Pasadena and West Covina School Districts; and served as Assistant Superintendent of Personnel for the Glendale School District.

He moved to Idyllwild in 1998, along with his wife, mother, and mother-in-law, to be closer to his grandchildren. For health reasons, the group moved to Rancho Mirage in 2003.

Bob was a compassionate and caring person who loved traveling, cruising the seas, golf, dancing, people and especially, his family and friends. He will be greatly missed.

He is survived by Joan, his wife of 54 years; son Chris; daughter-in-law Wendy; and three grandchildren, Justin, Megan and Shelby Read of Idyllwild.