Roy was born on Feb. 14, 1930, and died on Oct. 10 from complications after a fall.
Roy was born in New York, raised in Philadelphia and moved to California in the late 1950s. He and his wife, Barbara, have lived in Malibu since 1965; first on Serra Road until 1970, when they lost their home to a brush fire. They then moved to Malibu Park in a home that Roy designed. He retired from Hughes Aircraft Company, where he was employed as a mechanical engineer for more than 35 years. His only brother, Ned, was married to Barbara’s only sister, Joan.
Roy coached little league, YMCA basketball and flag football. He was an avid tennis player and played with the same group of friends for over 50 years.
“He was a jazz enthusiast,” a loved one shared. “His grandchildren inherited his love of music and they play a variety of musical instruments.”
No matter where he and Barbara traveled, they always ended up by the ocean, and always returned to Malibu with the Pacific right outside their windows.
In 1982, he cofounded Esperance Center with his wife Barbara. Esperance Center is a nonprofit organization providing residential and day program support to adults with developmental disabilities. Roy was also the secretary of the Los Angeles Chapter of the Epilepsy Society.
“He cared deeply for all individuals facing difficult life challenges,” a loved one shared. “Roy will be remembered for his smile, humor, compassion, kindness and most of all for his humanity. He will be sorely missed by his family and all those who knew him.”
He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Barbara, his son, Paul who lives in Trinidad, California, with his wife Michelle; his daughter Dara who resides at Esperance Center in Malibu; and his three grandchildren, Aidan, Sebastian and Sydney. His extended family includes his sister-in-law, Joan, two nephews, Leif and his wife Kelly, Arne and his wife, Lauren; a niece, Darla and her husband, Skip; three great-nephews; and a great-niece.
A celebration of Roy’s life will be held in early February at the Malibu Swim Club. Donations in his memory can be made to Esperance Center, P.O. Box 4140, Malibu, CA 90264.