Robert James Gillette

Robert “Bob” Gillette was a man devoted to his faith, his family, his friends, and his life’s work. He lived

each day with purpose and intent and was a ray of light to all around him. Bob was born April 2, 1928 in

Los Angeles, CA to Robert and Josephine Gillette, who originally hailed from Senora, Mexico. He was the

eldest of his two siblings, Lorie and John. He often credited the early influences of his mother and

grandparents for shaping the man he became. In his early childhood, the family moved to Long Beach

where he attended St Anthony’s for both his grammar and high school years.

During his senior year, he met Doris “Dorie” Heckendorf, the love of his life. Bob enlisted in the United

States Navy on June 8, 1946. After his honorable discharge in 1948, the sweethearts were married on

August 20, 1949. They began their life together in Long Beach and later moved to Los Alamitos, where

they raised their family. Bob graduated from CSULB, on June 11, 1954, with a Bachelor of Science degree

in Business. After his initial career with Richfield Oil, and IBM, Bob found his true calling as a financial

advisor. A lighthouse enthusiast, he made it his mission to “safely guide and navigate” his clients through

the challenges that life and wealth can bring. He now passes that legacy on to his daughter, Kathleen and

his grandson, Eddie.

Bob was a proud “girl dad” to his four daughters, Nancy, Mary, Linda and Kathleen, and would lovingly call

each one, “the prettiest one’, when they were with him.

Bob never met a stranger—only someone he hadn’t met yet. He had a gift for connection. He made time

for friends, for laughter, for stories, some of which, as he might say, are best left between “Butch &

Sundance.” He loved music in all its forms and would even break into “Her Name Was Merry Christmas”

on Easter morning. Even after the loss of his beloved wife and his inspiration, Dorie, in 2018, and the

passing of many of his closest friends, Bob continued to carry what he called an “uptick” attitude-a

hopeful perspective marked by gratitude and joy, no matter the circumstances.

Bob was kind, generous, wise, witty, courageous, and above all, present. Bob loved life. Anyone blessed

enough to have spent time with him left changed for the better.

He is survived by his four daughters, 15 grandchildren, 24 great-grandchildren, and 6

great-great-grandchildren.

Your family is grateful to you. Thank you for being our “living lighthouse,” always helping us navigate the

way to our True North. We will carry your light forward.