Robert Anthony Trodella

Robert Anthony Trodella was born July 23, 1935 at homea tenement apartment on Prince Street in Boston's North Endto Gaspare and Fiorenza Trodella, who, together with Bob's siblings, Vito, Clara and Nina, immigrated through Ellis Island several years earlier. The North End was and remains the "Little Italy" of Boston and Bob did not speak English until first grade at age six. As a janitor at the still-standing Schrafft's candy factory, Gaspare managed to save enough money to book passage from southern Italy for Fiorenza and Bob's siblings, and much later, to buy a two-family home in Medford, a Boston suburb where Bob spent his teen years. Bob was profoundly influenced by his fathers work ethic and sacrifices he made for his family, and also those his much older brother and sisters made for Bob. Knowing he had opportunities his family did not, Bob worked hard not to disappoint them. He played piano and high school football. He worked after school at his uncle's Italian food store. And he studied. After graduating from Medford High he applied and was accepted to West Point, graduating in 1960. A child of immigrants was on his way. West Point was the crucible that shaped Bob's life forever after. Discipline and grit were the code and Bob had them in spades. Not dissuaded by his failure to make West Point's football team, Bob joined the cheerleading squad at the then all-male academy, a decision not shared with his father until Gaspare attended a football game and mistakenly cheered on the running back he thought was his sonyelling "that's my boy" in broken Englishonly to be told by Vito, who pointed to the sideline cheer squad, "no Pa, that's your boy." After graduating from West Point in 1960, Bob's first tour of duty was Vicenza, Italy. There he met Jan, whose father was stationed at the base and who at eighteen had just commenced music studies at the University of Perugia. They married in Vicenza in September 1962, and there, a year later, gave birth to daughter Sharon. Their son Rob was born in Texas in 1966 while Bob was stationed in South Korea. Over the fifty-six years of their marriage, Bob and Jan lived in Fort Bragg, North Carolina; Fort Sill, Oklahoma; Neu Ulm and Frankfurt Germany; and El Paso, Texas, finally settling in Orange County, California, where the family moved in 1982. Ever trying to better himself, Bob graduated from the army's Ranger and Airborne schools and Command and General Staff College. His military career included tours with the 82nd Airborne Division at Fort Bragg, South Korea at the DMZ (where he obtained a black belt in Tae Kwon Do), and the 101st Airborne Division in Vietnam. Although his division had not then been called to Vietnam, Bob volunteered for combat assignment there, where he served as base commander for a field artillery unit. While in the army and as time allowed, Bob enrolled in graduate school with a tenacity that took him to three different universities across his military stations. He obtained an MBA and then an MA and PhD in Psychology. Bob retired from the army in 1983 as a lieutenant colonel. He went to work the next day for Northrop Grumman in Training and Development where he was affectionately known as "Dr. Bob". During this time he moonlighted as an adjunct professor at several universities teaching graduate business management courses. Some of his most treasured career honors were the reviews he received from his students. As determined and focused as Bob was, he always possessed an off-beat sense of humor. He was a light-footed dancer with a keen interest in others and had a dry wit that endeared him to many and helped soften the edge of his failing health in his waning years. Bob's survivors include his wife Janis, daughter Sharon Hoffman (Kurt), son Rob (Christine), granddaughter Lauren Padilla (Nathan), granddaughter Mia Trodella, and great-granddaughter Olivia Padilla. The family would like to express heartfelt appreciation to his caregiver Jordan Ridder, and Jessica, Daniel, Laura, Josh and Elizabeth from Memorial Care Home Health; each contributed greatly to enhancing Bob's quality of life over the past two years. Celebration of Bob's life will be held on Saturday, April 20th at 11:30 A.M. at Palisades United Methodist Church, 27002 Camino De Estrella, Capistrano Beach, CA. 92624. Following the service a lunch in his honor will be held at Ciao Pasta, 31661 Camino Capistrano, San Juan Capistrano, CA. 92675. In lieu of flowers donations may be made in his memory to Family Assistance Ministries, 1030 Calle Negocio, San Clemente, CA. 92673 https://www.family-assistance.org