We are sad to report that Robert “Bob” Rumer reluctantly conceded his battle with cancer on January 26, 2024. Many of you know Bob from having served as Chapter Chair of the IEEE EMBS (Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society) chapter. Bob also served as local Event Director of the annual FIRST Lego League tournament, and as a mentor and workshop lead at the IEEE Buenaventura Girls Make STEM with Heart events.

An obituary is online in the Ventura County Star. Services will be held at Padre Serra Parish on Saturday, February 24, 2024. Photos of Bob at several IEEE events are below.

July 2016 – Bob is in the background, with his father Bill Rumer at the mike.

Bob Rumer lined the speaker panel and emceed the event for this extraordinary IEEE Buenaventura Summer Mixer at Hub101 in Westlake Village in July 2016. Four Apollo engineers shared tales of their involvements with Apollo missions 11 and beyond, including their rescue efforts of Apollo 13 after the rupture of the service oxygen tank. They received a standing ovation at the closing of the panel event. This was the largest mixer event we had (110 attendees) in the space of the Hub101 Entrepreneurship Center, the gracious host of this IEEE event. Among the four engineers was Bob Rumer’s father, Bill Rumer, System Engineer, Command Module Life Support, Garrett AirResearch.

February 2018 – Bob presenting Outstanding Educator award to Hannah Robinson.

At the Presidential Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley, the IEEE Buenaventura Section had selected Hannah Robinson, physics teacher at La Reina High School, as the IEEE Buenaventura Section Outstanding Educator of the Year.

March 2022 – Bob showing 3D printing to a middle school student in Santa Paula.

Each year since 2015, Bob was a workshop mentor at the Girls Make STEM with Heart event. Bob mentored a variety of workshops, including 3D Snap Electronics, and Roll-o-Matrics/Gravitrax).

November 2023 – Bob at the FIRST Lego League Tournament.

Bob served as Event Director of the local FIRST Lego League Thousand Oaks tournament for many years. Here he is seen in the back during the awards ceremony.