Robert Ynzunza

Robert (Bob) Ynzunza of Newark, California died June 21 due to complications of diabetes. He was 88.

He was born in Oakland on March 25, 1930, to Frank and Sarah Ynzunza. At 18, he joined the Air Force at Lackland AFB in Texas. In basic training he met and married the love of his life, Celina Melendes. Over the next 20 years, they had five children born at various bases across the world.

By the end of his military service, with a rank of master sergeant, he returned home to the Bay Area and settled in Newark.

In 1969, he began work at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, known then as the Lawrence Radiation Laboratory. He started in Property Records Management and eventually worked in the Motor Pool (Fleet Management) where he retired as deputy group leader after 20 years.

He settled into a life of leisure and spent his days with family and traveling with his wife. He threw himself into many hours on the family tree after learning how to work on an old Mac.

Ynzunza was preceded in death by his wife, Celina and son, Gary Ynzunza. He is survived by four children: Robert Ynzunza Jr., Tom Ynzunza, Sharen McDonell and Karen Bradley; his 10 grandchildren, seven great grandchildren with two on the way; sister Virginia Martin; and many nieces and nephews.