October 29, 1917 ~ March 30, 2001
Resided in:
Redondo Beach, CA
Robert Cardona, a 50 year resident of Redondo Beach, passed away March 30, 2001 at University Hospital in Los Angeles. He was born in Grand Junction , Colorado. Mr. Cardona was a football player and graduate of USC. He was an assistant to Jess Hill and was very active in Alumni affairs. He was also active in Redondo Beach civic affairs where he initiated the Redondo Beach Sister City Program and served as a city commissioner as well as on the Citizens Advisory Committee of the Redondo Beach Police Department. Mr. Cardona was an administrator for many years for the South Bay Union High School District. He is survived by his wife, Amy and also by brothers, sisters and many neices, nephews and dear friends. Visitation will begin at 4:00 pm Monday, April 2, 2001, with Rosary/Vigil services at 7:30 PM at the White & Day Colonial Mortuary in Redondo Beach (310-379-2446). Funeral Mass will be 10:00 AM Tuesday, April 3, 2001, at the St. James Catholic Church in Redondo Beach. Interment will be private. Bob will be greatly missed by all who knew him. He was a true gentleman with a smile that will never be forgotton.
Guestbook
Dear Mrs. Cardona: I wanted to express my deepest sympathies to you in the passing away of Mr. Cardona. I don\’t know if you remember me or not, but I first came into contact with you and Mr. Cardona when you taught 6th grade at Lincoln School. My parents had me transferred from Mr. Baker\’s class to your class. I have always told my children that you were the best teacher that I had ever had, and you were. I then met Mr. Cardona when he was V.P. at Aviation High School. He was such a nice man. I also think that my sister, Marlene, ran into you and Mr. Cardona a few years ago. Thank you for the input that you and your husband had in my life. With deepest sympathy, Kathy Sowers Conrad
Dear Cardona Family, Our hearts go out to you at this time of loss. Bob played football with my father, Dennis “Duck” Noor, at USC. I met Bob a few times as I was growing up here in Hermosa, and Dad spoke of him often. Dad\’s been gone 3 and 1/2 years now. I\’m sure they\’ll be joined above. Our best wishes. Dennis J. Noor and Family Hermosa Beach, Ca
My Dear Amy – So often I have thought of the two of you and said I\’ll call, but alas I didn\’t. What a special man – and what special memories we have. I\’ll always think of Coach at Redondo and how everyone loved him – his smile, twinkle and cheerfulness. He just had just a great way of making everyone feel good about themselves. Amy, take care of yourself. Remember the good times and all the people who loved both of you. Thank you for sharing our boyfriend. Love, Linda
My condolences to Amy and the rest of Coachs family. He was always Coach to me and I highly admired him. Coach was one of the nicest Gentlemem I have ever known. He will be sorely missed. Larry Harvey
I am a 1952 graduate of RUHS and I remember Mr. Cardona very well. He was a fine teacher who always took the time to answer questions.
Dear Amy, We are saddened to hear about Bob\’s passing. He appeared in our lives in 1950 and it\’s been our pleasure to follow his career ever since. Our deepest sympathies to you. Doug & Mary Ann
I was greatly distressed to read about the passing of Bob. As an RUHS grad from the class of \’51 I was looking forward to seeing him again at our 50th year reunion in October. It was an honor and pleasure for me to have remained in touch with Bob over the years and will always remember the support he gave me when I had bypass surgery 10 years ago. He was one of the classiest human beings that I have ever met, respected and liked by all. God bless Bob Cardona. John Stevenson RUHS 1951
My condolences to the family of Coach Cardona. He was my typing teacher and coach to my brother, George. I always looked forward to seeing him at the reunions. He was a wonderful man and will be greatly missed. Mary Ann Abramovic RUHS Class of \’57
I will miss Bob since I got see him again last January a year ago at the RUHS class of \’53 planning luncheon. I knew him as the RUHS Football coach.
My husband and I were students at Aviation High School from 1962-1965 and we remember Mr. Cardona very well. We send our deepest condolences to the family. Dennis & Dianne (Hunsicker) McCluskey
Amy,I am 58 now. Bob was my typing teacher at Redondo and you were my teacher at Hillcrest. You were both favorites of mine. I am sorry to hear of your loss. I am a massage therapist in South Torrance and if it would comfort you I would dearly love to treat you to a massage. Please call me at 378-8753. Fondly yours, Barbara
We miss you uncle Bob.
I greatly respect the learning experiences by Mr. Cardona. I think about him from time to time. I was in need of reeling in and he contributed to that.
As a Junior, I became more of a rebel once I obtained a drivers license.
One rainy day break period the girlfriend and I were chatting in my Mazda truck . After break ended I drove her to the chain across the road access, just south of auto shop. This chain was usually up to prevent unauthorized entry. However, the chain was down! I decided to drop her off at her classroom. We drove to the main walkway, turned left, then over the grass, and dropped her off at her classroom door in the math building. Once she exited the truck I drove forward a few feet and Mr Cardona rounded a corner in front of me. His look went immediately sour, beyond bulldog , and his jaw dropped. He said “Park this thing and get in my office” (or words to that effect). I did and was suspended for 5 days. He suggested I be transferred to Pacific Shores. I didn’t like that notion. Fortunately he let me stay at AVHS.
I was a bad apple I admit.
Later, on one dark night, I drove up the curb by the flag pole at the round administrative building, then backed the Mazda onto Mr Cardona’s cherished roses outside his office window . I did a burn-out that leveled them.
Retired now, I was class of ’79 and was uninterruptedly employed since 1977. I think of Robert Cardona, the vice principal, as a positive role model who in part made me who I am today, and didn’t realize at the time.
If heaven can see this, Thank you Mr Cardona for the learning. Sorry about the roses.
Cheers