Robert Eugene Metz
November 13, 1925 — February 16, 2016
Robert "Bob" Eugene Metz was born on November 13, 1925 in Youngstown, Ohio and entered into eternal rest on February 16, 2016 in Huntington Beach, California. He was 90 years old. Bob was a proud WWII Veteran of the United States Navy (1944-1946) and was given an Honorable Discharge. Bob retired as Fire Chief for the Montebello Fire Department in 1979, where he worked for 30 years.
Robert is survived by his two children; son Eric (Peggy) Metz of Huntington Beach, California and daughter Erin McGrath (Sam Kinney) of Salem, Oregon. He also leaves behind two grandchildren, Christopher (Julia) Metz and Kira Kinney. Robert was greeted at Heaven's gate by his loving wife, Mary Metz who preceded him in death in 2002.
Bob attended South High School in Youngstown, Ohio where he was active in sports. He moved to Hollywood with his parents in 1943 and a short time later moved to East Los Angeles. Bob joined the Navy in April of 1944 and took his boot training at San Diego Naval Training Station. He attended electrical school and was transferred to Camp Pendleton Marine base. At Camp Pendleton Bob was assigned to be trained as a Beach Battalion Electrician. He was then sent to San Francisco to board the USS Goshen, an Attack Transport, Hospital Ship. His ship saw most of the Pacific and saw action at Okinawa and Iwo Jima.
Upon discharge from the Navy he worked as an apprentice machinist. A friend and Bob opened a used car lot on Whittier Bl. in ELA. Shortly after that Bob joined the Montebello Fire Department in September of 1950. He advanced through the ranks and was promoted to Fire Chief in September of 1973 and remained in that position until he retired in December of 1979. He was very active in the fire service and was a member of many fire related organizations as well as other organizations (see below).
After his retirement from the Montebello Fire Department, he went to work as State Assemblyman Jack Fenton's Field Representative. The next 18 years he worked for Living Opportunities Management Company, at the Beverly Towers Retirement Apartments in Montebello, retiring for good in 2000.
In 1949 Bob met Mary Bertoglio and they were married in February of 1951. Four years later their first child (Eric) was born. Three years later a second child (Erin) arrived. They loved to travel and they spent a month every year traveling all over the United States in their camper or trailer. Boating was a big part of their life and they spent many summers in the San Juan Islands with friends. Their travels took them to Italy, Germany, Israel, Holland, Thailand, Australia, Japan and Alaska. Golf played an important part in Mary and Bob's life, as they played golf weekly.
One of the biggest pleasures of Bob's life was the family get togethers, dinners with Eric, Peggy and Chris and his wife Julia, the visits to Erin's home in Roseville, California and more recently Salem, Oregon, Erin, Sam and Kira's visits to Montebello and the family dinners at Christmas and Thanksgiving with his extended family.
Condolences may be sent to his family through our website.
A graveside Service with military honors will take place on Tuesday, March 29, 2016 at 11:30AM. A Memorial Service will be held at 1:00PM at the Quiet Cannon, 901 Via San Clemente, Montebello followed by a reception at the Quiet Cannon.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Beverly Hospital Foundation:
http://www.beverly.org/Foundation
or P.E.O. International:
https://donations.peointernational.org/peo-donation-foundation
Bob's organizations: The International Fire Chiefs Assoc., Western Fire Chiefs Assoc., California Fire Chiefs Assoc., Southeast/Foothill Fire Chiefs Assoc. (Past President), San Gabriel Valley Fireman's Assoc., Harbor District Fireman's Assoc., Montebello Fireman's Assoc., National Fire Prevention Assoc., California Fire Chiefs-Fire Prevention Assoc. & Training Officers Assoc., Civil Defense Fire and Rescue Coordinator, California League of Cities Revenue & Taxation Committee, LA County Paramedic Committee, Fire Science Advisory Board for ELA College, Rio Hondo College and Cerritos College, Life Time Designated Teaching Credential, Field Representative for State Assemblyman Jack Fenton, Montebello Committee on Aging, Lions Club, Civitan Club, Board of Directors Montebello/Commerce YMCA, Troop Committee Chairman, Boy Scout Troop #308, Honorary Service Award, Montebello High School PTA, President-Marlins Swim Club.
Robert is survived by his two children; son Eric (Peggy) Metz of Huntington Beach, California and daughter Erin McGrath (Sam Kinney) of Salem, Oregon. He also leaves behind two grandchildren, Christopher (Julia) Metz and Kira Kinney. Robert was greeted at Heaven's gate by his loving wife, Mary Metz who preceded him in death in 2002.
Bob attended South High School in Youngstown, Ohio where he was active in sports. He moved to Hollywood with his parents in 1943 and a short time later moved to East Los Angeles. Bob joined the Navy in April of 1944 and took his boot training at San Diego Naval Training Station. He attended electrical school and was transferred to Camp Pendleton Marine base. At Camp Pendleton Bob was assigned to be trained as a Beach Battalion Electrician. He was then sent to San Francisco to board the USS Goshen, an Attack Transport, Hospital Ship. His ship saw most of the Pacific and saw action at Okinawa and Iwo Jima.
Upon discharge from the Navy he worked as an apprentice machinist. A friend and Bob opened a used car lot on Whittier Bl. in ELA. Shortly after that Bob joined the Montebello Fire Department in September of 1950. He advanced through the ranks and was promoted to Fire Chief in September of 1973 and remained in that position until he retired in December of 1979. He was very active in the fire service and was a member of many fire related organizations as well as other organizations (see below).
After his retirement from the Montebello Fire Department, he went to work as State Assemblyman Jack Fenton's Field Representative. The next 18 years he worked for Living Opportunities Management Company, at the Beverly Towers Retirement Apartments in Montebello, retiring for good in 2000.
In 1949 Bob met Mary Bertoglio and they were married in February of 1951. Four years later their first child (Eric) was born. Three years later a second child (Erin) arrived. They loved to travel and they spent a month every year traveling all over the United States in their camper or trailer. Boating was a big part of their life and they spent many summers in the San Juan Islands with friends. Their travels took them to Italy, Germany, Israel, Holland, Thailand, Australia, Japan and Alaska. Golf played an important part in Mary and Bob's life, as they played golf weekly.
One of the biggest pleasures of Bob's life was the family get togethers, dinners with Eric, Peggy and Chris and his wife Julia, the visits to Erin's home in Roseville, California and more recently Salem, Oregon, Erin, Sam and Kira's visits to Montebello and the family dinners at Christmas and Thanksgiving with his extended family.
Condolences may be sent to his family through our website.
A graveside Service with military honors will take place on Tuesday, March 29, 2016 at 11:30AM. A Memorial Service will be held at 1:00PM at the Quiet Cannon, 901 Via San Clemente, Montebello followed by a reception at the Quiet Cannon.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Beverly Hospital Foundation:
http://www.beverly.org/Foundation
or P.E.O. International:
https://donations.peointernational.org/peo-donation-foundation
Bob's organizations: The International Fire Chiefs Assoc., Western Fire Chiefs Assoc., California Fire Chiefs Assoc., Southeast/Foothill Fire Chiefs Assoc. (Past President), San Gabriel Valley Fireman's Assoc., Harbor District Fireman's Assoc., Montebello Fireman's Assoc., National Fire Prevention Assoc., California Fire Chiefs-Fire Prevention Assoc. & Training Officers Assoc., Civil Defense Fire and Rescue Coordinator, California League of Cities Revenue & Taxation Committee, LA County Paramedic Committee, Fire Science Advisory Board for ELA College, Rio Hondo College and Cerritos College, Life Time Designated Teaching Credential, Field Representative for State Assemblyman Jack Fenton, Montebello Committee on Aging, Lions Club, Civitan Club, Board of Directors Montebello/Commerce YMCA, Troop Committee Chairman, Boy Scout Troop #308, Honorary Service Award, Montebello High School PTA, President-Marlins Swim Club.
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