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Robert “Bob” Wilde Bob was born on December 24th, 1918 in Mapleville, RI, the son of Annie and William Wilde. When he was 18 months old, his family moved across the country by train, arriving in California on Flag Day, 1920, and settling in Santa Ana. His father William worked as a mail carrier for the Santa Ana postal service throughout his career, and Annie cared for their three children, Edith, Bob and Jim. Bob attended Santa Ana public schools including Willard Junior High School and Santa Ana High School, where he excelled in baseball, football and track, and served as senior class president and student body president. During his school years, Bob worked as a milk truck delivery boy in the early mornings. He went on to study at the University of California at Berkeley, earning a degree in Political Science and Economics, while supporting himself by working nights and weekends in a local ice cream store as a "soda jerk." After graduation, he married his Santa Ana sweetheart, Jeanette Klatt (daughter of Charles J Klatt- Citrus Rancher- Tustin Ave/17th Street) on November 9th, 1941. Pearl Harbor was attacked just one month later, on December 7th, 1941, dramatically changing the world at large and their world as well. Bob was working for Pan-American Airlines in their San Francisco office and was transferred to North Africa, and later to the Pacific, where he was assigned for several years. After the war, he returned to Southern California to work for his father-in-law, Charles J Klatt, caring for his orange groves. In this country environment, Bob and Jeanette raised their five children: Valerie, Barbara, Raymond, Cathleen and Carolyn. Disneyland opened in Orange County in 1955, and land prices boomed, making orange ranching more and more difficult. The family decided to try some commercial ventures, beginning with a small shopping center and an Alpha Beta market on the home place at 17th Street and Tustin Avenue. Photo of Charles J Klatt and Bob Wilde at the Alpha Beta ground-breaking on the Klatt acreage Bob later moved into the car business, first with Santa Ana Datsun/Nissan, and later with B&B Chevrolet. He was active in St. Joseph's Parish and School in Santa Ana for many years. His five children all attended St. Joseph's, and Mater Dei High School. He was also active with his family at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish in Newport Beach. Bob loved the beach, and spent many hours body surfing and sailing with his family on Balboa Peninsula. He was a member of the Newport Harbor Yacht Club for 56 years.