Robert DePerna passed away this morning from pancreatic cancer according to Mike Singorelli.
Rob was retired from the studios and living in Santa Monica at the time of his death.
Rob is survived by his 4 children, 5 grandchildren, brother Ron, BHS 1974 and younger brother, Raymond.
His older brother, Rich DePerna, BHS 1967, passed away in 2003.
We will keep the DePerna family in our thoughts and prayers...
OBITUARY
Provided by daughter, Colleen DePerna
Robert James DePerna was pronounced dead at UCLA Santa Monica Hospital on the evening of November 5th, 2013. Robert was born in Burbank, CA on October 20th, 1951 to James J. DePerna and Josephine A. DePerna.
Robert graduated from Burbank High School 1970 and went on to attend L.A. Valley college. He worked for 32 years in the Motion Picture Union as a Gaffer for Warner Brothers. During his career he worked on such shows as; In the Heat of the Night, Something Wilder, That 70’s show and Monk.
Robert was a lifelong musician who played piano, organ and guitar. He was in the psychedelic rock band, The Boston Tea Party in the 1960’s with his late brother Richard DePerna.
Robert is survived by his two brothers, Ronald DePerna and Raymond DePerna. Also his four children, Chelsea DePerna, Colleen DePerna, Camille DePerna, Nicholas DePerna, and five grandchildren. Robert was a father, brother, uncle, grandfather and friend that will be dearly missed. Services will be announced soon. Those who knew Robert are welcome to come and pay their respects.
NOTICE TO ROB'S BHS CLASS 1970
Provided by Alan Landros and Joyce Starleaf
Robert "Rob" DePerna, BHS '70, passed away Tuesday night, November 5, 2013, after a short battle with pancreatic cancer. Rob was retired from the Camera Departments of the studios, where he had worked as an Electrician and as a Gaffer. He lived in Santa Monica.
While growing up in Burbank Rob attended Horace Mann Elementary, John Muir Junior High, as well as BHS with all of us. Among suvivors are his four children, his five grandchildren, and his two younger brothers, Ronald DePerna (BHS '74), and Raymond DePerna, also a BHS alum. The oldest brother, Richard "Rich" DePerna (BHS '67), who was a founder of the rock band, 'Boston Tea Party', passed away in 2003.
Funeral arrangements are pending, according to Rob's second daughter, Colleen DePerna. Anyone wishing to contact Rob's family may do so by e-mailing Colleen DePerna at deperna@gmail.com
Some of you have read the news of Rob's death on Facebook in the last two days, but this notice is going to 227 members of the Class of '70 so the majority of our class will be aware of Rob's passing. With Rob's passing there are now 45 of our classmates from BHS '70, that we know of, who are deceased. Our sympathy goes to Rob's family from the entire BHS Class of '70.
NOV 8, 2013 UPDATE
"Photo of Rob and Guy who are both passed. 1974...RIP"
Photo provided by Valerie Giessinger Scott, BHS '71, via Facebook
From left to right:
At left end with glass to mouth is Mike Reilly '71
Just to right of Mike Reilly sitting in rear with thick beard is Steve Severeid '70
On left end of front bench, facing camera is Curtis Woolley '69
On middle of bench in blue and white plaid shirt with long dark hair is Gary Robb '69
In rear with just head showing wearing tinted glasses is Mike Tideback '67 - deceased January 2012
Standing in back and waving is Valerie Giessinger Scott '71 (her wedding reception in July 1974)
Sitting at right end of bench in white pants with long blonde hair is Guy Casagrande '70 - deceased August 9, 2005
Standing in back to the right of Guy Casagrande is Debbie Snow '71
Standing at far right is Rob DePerna '70 - deceased November 5, 2013
"Alan, I found this old article, our bands were friendly competitors back in the day.
Val Tonione"
Photo/article provided by Val Tonione via email to Alan Landros, both BHS '70
NOV 10, 2013 UPDATE ABOUT THE SERVICES FROM COLLEEN, ROB'S DAUGHTER
Thank you very much for everyones kind words about my Dad. I appreciate the stories and pictures, as I have been sharing them with my sisters. The funeral arrangements are moving along slowly, here there are.
An update on services for Robert DePerna. There will be a celebration of life at the Unurban Coffee house the Saturday, November 16th from 11 am- 3pm. Located at 3301 Pico Blvd, Santa Monica, CA 90404. There will be food and music. Robert performed here for their open mic nights during the last years of his life.
The following Saturday on November 23rd in Burbank, CA we will be having a Memorial service, the location is not set in stone, but I will post the address as soon as I can. Both events are open to all friends and family.
NOVEMBER 15, 2013 from Colleen DePerna
Robert's memorial will be at the St. Francis Catholic Church on November 23rd, Saturday, on 3801 Scott Rd. in Burbank at 10am. All are welcome!
Thanks for posting this picture. I'm Roberts second oldest daughter, Colleen. He will be missed by all four of this kids and 5 grandchildren. If anyone has anymore pictures or stories you would like to share, we would like to include them in his service. We are still planning the funeral, as this has all happened really fast. My email: deperna@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteThanks.
Colleen, I am so sorry for your loss and send my heartfelt condolences to you and your family. I didn't know Rob but went to school with his brother, your Uncle Rich. I posted your note also on our Facebook Burbank High's Memorial page. If you want to add more information to the above post (names, service info, obituary, photos etc), please send to me at cathyjpalmer@yahoo.com
ReplyDeleteThank you & blessings,
Cathy Palmer
BHS '67
I go way back with Robert to when we were teenagers. I trained Karate with Rob and we played Tennis together. We took many trips to Zuma beach, Bush Gardens, Brand park Rob was always the first one to be ready to hit the road. We once took a trip up to San Francisco together to compete in a Karate tournament we drove all night in the rain only to wake up to a perfect day! We competed, We both got beat up a little and I got a broken wrist. We drove home that day in my 70 Datson pick up truck, Rob made the trip home about as much fun as two guy's could have. He was a good hearted Man he will be missed. Rest in peace my old friend see you on the other side....Mike.
ReplyDeleteThank you very much for everyones kind words about my Dad. I appreciate the stories and pictures, as I have been sharing them with my sisters. The funeral arrangements are moving along slowly, here there are.
ReplyDeleteAn update on services for Robert DePerna. There will be a celebration of life at the Unurban Coffee house the Saturday, November 16th from 11 am- 3pm. Located at 3301 Pico Blvd, Santa Monica, CA 90404. There will be food and music. Robert performed here for their open mic nights during the last years of his life.
The following Saturday on November 23rd in Burbank, CA we will be having a Memorial service, the location is not set in stone, but I will post the address as soon as I can. Both events are open to all friends and family.
Hello, we decided to cancel the celebration of life in Santa Monica because everyone I contacted preferred to wait until the service in Burbank.
ReplyDeleteUpdate for service in Burbank. Roberts memorial will be at the St. Francis Catholic Church on November 23rd, Saturday, on 3801 Scott Rd. in Burbank at 10am. All friends and family are welcome to come and pay their respects. Again thank you everyone for your support during this time.