Robert Harvey Elkins

CDR Robert H. Elkins, USN Retired

Robert “Hitch” Elkins passed away unexpectedly at the age of 94 on September 15, 2018, in Long Beach, California. He was born in Los Angeles, January 13, 1924, to Ora and Jenny Mae Reed Elkins. The family (including sister Helen) traveled to the Pacific Northwest, moving frequently between Idaho and Washington as his dad sought to provide for them. Hitch attended ten different schools in eight years, at times living in tents and boarding houses. Eventually Yakima, Washington, became home. After attending Yakima Junior College, Hitch enlisted in the Navy as part of the V-12 Program, continuing his studies in Economics at Whitman College and Harvard Business School. Hitch’s Naval career took him across datelines and hemispheres placing him in numerous ports with the Pacific Fleet. Stationed early-on in Long Beach, he served in three conflicts (WWII, Korea, Vietnam) and came full-circle, retiring with his wife, Dorothy, in Long Beach after 30 years in the Navy, with the rank of Commander and being awarded the Navy Commendation Medal for Meritorious Service. His second career brought him to St. Anthony’s High School as Chief Business Administrator, retiring at age 70. After Dorothy’s death in 2007, new friendships were launched due in part to his well-established routine: frequenting the Belmont Athletic Club (up to the day before his death) and Aroma Di Roma. He could daily be seen visiting with neighbors or anyone who might pass by his home on St. Joseph. A man with keen intellectual capacity, creativity, and determination, Hitch was one of the “good guys”. He was loved and will be missed deeply by many, but especially by his daughter, Jeanie Guleserian; son, Pete Elkins and his wife Elise; granddaughter, Jennifer Messier and her husband Jake; and great-grandchildren, Nathan and Brooklyn.

In lieu of flowers, kindly consider donations in Hitch’s name to “The Mission Continues” (an organization training veterans to help other veterans returning from service) @ missioncontinues.org

“Anchors Aweigh Hitch”

Luyben Dilday Mortuary (562) 425-6401