Robert Ricker Baltzer

Robert (Bob) Ricker Baltzer died Dec. 3. He was 85.

Baltzer was born Oct. 28, 1928 to Benjamin B. and Helen Baltzer in Quincy, Mass. where he grew up.

After graduating from high school, he entered the Air Force at the age of 17, retiring after 16 years. His time in the service included a tour of duty in Korea during the war.

After leaving the military, Baltzer worked at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory for 25 years, from 1962 to 1987. Bob started with the Argus laser project, followed by Shiva and Nova lasers. When he retired, he served as Senior Supervisor of Electrical Engineering. While at the Lab, he supervised the filming of the original "Tron" movie which took place in the laser bay. For his efforts, he received an award from the Disney Company.

After leaving the Lab, he and his wife Pearl "Petie" spent time traveling to various locations.

Baltzer was active in local politics as chairman of Friends of Livermore and member of Friends of the Vineyards and the Sierra Club. He served on the original board of directors of the Livermore Valley Performing Arts Center, advocating for the Bankhead Theater and the proposed regional theater. He also helped update Livermore's planning document through his work on the General Plan Steering Committee.

His daughter Julie said of his interests, "He would have been a world champion Jeopardy player, if he had ever competed. He watched the show every night." He was a huge sports fan, rooting for the San Francisco 49ers and Oakland A's. He was a converted Red Sox fan. Julie recalls that his family rooted for the Sox while living near Boston. His mom used to take him out of school on "Ladies Day" and they would head for Fenway Park. She was admitted free and purchased a ticket for him for $1.

He was tenacious in pursuing what he believed was right. He was not afraid to stand up and speak his mind. He was also able to see the humor in situations. Baltzer was preceded in death by his wife, his parents, two brothers and a sister. He is survived by a son Greg Baltzer of Bedford, Texas; daughter Julie Barnett (Joe) of Tracy, Calif.; grandchildren Kerri Jean and Mike Mavis (Michelle); and great grandchildren Kendra, Robert and Maddy.

At his request, no services are planned, however, his family and friends will gather at his home at 944 El Caminito, Livermore on Sunday, Jan. 5, anytime from 1- 4 p.m. for an open house to drink a toast, tell a story or just enjoy photographs and memories together. In the spring, his ashes will be placed alongside his wife's during a ceremony with military honors at the Korean War Cemetery in Santa Nella, Calif.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations in his name to the Wounded Warrior Project.