Robert John Muir, a resident of Pine Cove, Calif., for 56 years died Monday, Aug. 27, 2012, after a long bout with dementia. He was 84 years old.
Bob was born in Denison, Iowa, on Aug. 23, 1928, to Elizabeth and Andrew Muir. When Bob was 8 years old the family moved from Iowa to Southern California. Before moving to the Hill, Bob lived in Alhambra, San Gabriel and Temple City. He attended Mark Keppel High School, in Alhambra, and the Mt. San Jacinto College in San Jacinto.
Over the course of his life, he worked for the U.S. Forest Service and for Clayton Manufacturing. Bob, being an outdoor guy, quit working inside and took on construction as his lifelong profession. He was a founder of the Pine Cove Volunteer Fire Department where he served as chief. He was recognized by the California Department of Forestry for over 35 years in volunteer service. It was through Bob’s efforts that the California Department of Forestry brought its first fire station to the mountain in 1964. Bob was a member of the Skaters of the Past, he was a top-notch skater and skier, and a member of the Hemet Jeep Club.
He is survived by Marge Muir, his wife of 62 years; three children, Chuck Muir and wife Teri of Bayfield, Colo., Rob Muir of Idyllwild, and Kathy Muir of Pine Cove; 14 grandchildren, Tommy McKnight of Seattle, Wash., Patrick McKnight of Seattle, Wash., Charlie Muir of Durango, Colo., Mike Muir and wife Christy of Bayfield, Colo., Tiffany Miller of Bayfield, Colo., Robert B. Muir and wife Alyssa of Idyllwild, Lauren Marchioni of Hemet and Jeffrey Muir and Courtney of Seattle, Wash.; and 12 great-grandchildren, Penelope McKnight, Gabriel Ramirez, Henry Muir, Chloe Muir, Lily (Lu Lu) Muir, Malcom Muir, Revin Muir, Sari-anne Muir, Mclaren Marchioni, Louden Marchioni, Saylor Marchioni and Asher Muir.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to an animal rescue organization such as the Human Society of the United States, www.JoinAspca.org, or RescueAnimalsNow.org.
A Celebration of Life will be held at 1:30 p.m. Sunday Sept. 16, at the Idyllwild Nature Center (parking fees are waived).
Online condolences may be sent at www.miller-jones.com.