Robert Joseph (Bob) Cinzori
Bob passed away September 20, 2018, at the age of 80 with his wife and daughter, Jane, by his side.
Born in Dearborn, MI, to Mack and Irma (Corpolongo) Cinzori. He is survived by his sister, Lorraine (Darrell) Milburn, and his brother, Carl (Barbara) Cinzori. Bob was married to his wife, Ann, for 57 years.
Bob grew up in Dearborn, MI, and left for Santa Barbara, CA after he received a degree in Electrical Engineering (first in his class), from Wayne State University (1961) in Detroit.
Hired by General Motors Defense Systems Division in Goleta, CA, Bob worked on many different projects, including the electric car until 1967. He spent the rest of his career at Santa Barbara Research Center, retiring in 1995.
Bob received many patents and awards for his invention of the Infrared Fire Suppression System. He was honored to receive the Lawrence A. Hyland Patent Award from Hughes Aircraft Co. for the Dual Spectrum Infrared Fire Sensor. He was also awarded The Los Angeles Patent Law Association Inventor of the Year Award.
Family and friends were very important to Bob. He was loving, dependable and generous. Throughout his life, Bob enjoyed handball, baseball, golf, bowling, fishing, hunting, water skiing, and the Santa Barbara Elks Lodge #613. He especially liked watching his children and grandchildren play sports.
Bob was very special to us. He will be greatly missed by his family and friends.
Bob is survived by his wife, Ann, and their three children, Cheryl (Reggie) Cordero (Nathan, Ben, Andrew); Jane (Daniel) Cinzori (Corey, Colton, Evan); Allen (Leslie) Cinzori (Ellyanna, Cassandra, Dominic, Alexander); and by many nieces and nephews.
A special thank you for the excellent care Bob received from Pacific Senior Living SB (Alexander Court) and Visiting Nurse and Hospice Care (especially Lauren Lewis).
Donations in Bob’s memory may be sent to the Santa Barbara Alzheimer’s Association, 1528 Chapala Street, #204, Santa Barbara, CA 93101 or Visiting Nurse & Hospice Care (VNHC), 512 E. Gutierrez Street, #A, Santa Barbara, CA 93103.
A celebration of Bob’s life will be held at a later date.