Robert Tilandy, Longtime Resident

Robert Tilandy, a resident of Pacific Palisades for over 50 years, died in his home on February 22. He was 95. Bob was a fiercely independent person who lived alone and fended for himself, even to the extent of changing the oil in his 1978 Honda Civic. He resisted any suggestion that he move to an assisted-living arrangement. Bob was born and raised in Pasadena. His father, a German-speaking Hungarian, was a tailor whose clientele consisted of wealthy Easterners who rode the trains to winter in Pasadena. When times changed, his father opened up a garage to build cars, where Bob acquired his early knowledge of motors. He attended Woodbury College, where he earned a degree in economics, but the Depression forced him to take odd jobs, including one at E.F. Hutton, where he posted stock losses and gains on the display board. Thereafter, Bob became a marine engine mechanic in the Santa Monica harbor, and later operated a water taxi from the pier out to the gambling ships that were then moored outside the three-mile limit. During World War II, Bob served in the U.S. Army on the East Coast, where he served as the officer in charge of a motor pool. His knowledge of German led the Army to assign to him all the German prisoners of war there. He ran the motor pool efficiently, using the German P.O.W’s, who performed well in their jobs since they feared being returned to Europe. Following military service, Bob returned to work on the Santa Monica Pier, where he worked for Tedford and Sons repairing diesel and gasoline engines. He married and bought his home in the Palisades with the help of the G.I. Bill. Bob often complained that he felt he had been overcharged for the $15,000 he paid for his house with a 3-percent mortgage. He worked on boats until his retirement. Never far from the water, Bob made friends on the pier, where he spent many happy hours even after retirement. On Monday nights for years, Bob and his pier friends met every Monday evening for drinks and dinner. Having lived through the tremendous technological changes of the last century, Bob kept up with world affairs by subscribing to and reading numerous magazines and journals. His marriage was brief and did not result in any children. In the most recent past, several neighbors helped Bob with the more arduous tasks of maintaining his house and yard, and keeping his 26-year-old automobile running. He was proud that he still had a valid driver’s license, a prized possession. He is survived by his sister, Adrienne Fissel of Arroyo Grande.