Robert Francis Palmini

Robert Francis Palmini was born in Los Angeles, CA on December 31, 1924 to Andrew James Palmini (b. 1907) and Virginia Estelle Pierce (b. 1903). He was the older brother of James Andrew Palmini (b. 1930).

From an early age Bob took a hands-on approach to life and learning. Perhaps to the dismay of the nuns at the All Souls Grammar School Bob’s attention was not on teachers or textbooks rather his imagination was captivated by engines and machines. He spent countless hours tinkering and experimenting in his grandfather Paul McCarthy’s shop. By the age of five Bob could be found under the hood of the family’s Ford Model A and by twelve he’d built his first (of many) radio-controlled airplanes. Bob fondly credited his grandpappy Paul as a formative influence for his life which was ultimately defined by innovation, self-teaching and an unrelenting work ethic.

Bob's mechanical sense carried him well through high school. He earned extra credit repairing teachers' cars and started teaching auto shop class when the instructor was drafted following Pearl Harbor. Bob learned the basics of machining and arc welding while building tanks at the L.A. Boiler Works and spent his spare time in the shop hot rodding his 1938 Plymouth.

Upon graduating with a Military Diploma from Alhambra High School in 1943, Bob served his country in the US Army 28th Infantry Division, 447th AAA AW BN (Anti-Aircraft Artillery Automatic Weapons Battalion) and the Service Battery for the 108th Field Artillery Battalion. He played a crucial role in General Patton's 3rd Army, initially coming ashore at Omaha Beach on June 7, 1944 (D-Day +1) and later liberating Paris in August 1944 and fighting in the Battle of the Bulge in early 1945.

Bob’s journey through Northern France, the Rhineland, Ardennes, and Central Europe is documented in a series of letters to his family between 1943 and 1945. Amidst the chaos of war and the bitter cold, Bob found purpose in applying his expertise in mechanics and welding. He was assigned to the motor pool where his sole task was to “keep the trucks running!” Bob would often recount the story of his dual manifold hot rod GI truck that was “the fastest truck in the European theater” which he built from salvaged truck and airplane parts.

After the war Bob returned to Los Angeles and began making a name for himself in the burgeoning California racing scene. If he could race it, Bob could build it. Bob built and raced cars, go-karts, motorcycles and boats.

In 1949 Bob married June Violet Cobb and in 1950 were proud to welcome their daughter Robyn Pauline— a namesake tribute to Bob’s beloved grandpappy— to the family. Bob and June later divorced.

Throughout the 50’s and 60’s Bob designed, manufactured and marketed an array of patented go-kart and motorcycle parts. In 1951 Bob founded his first company, Ropal Engineering, with a Chevrolet Service Shop and “Bob’s Dyno'' at 3156 San Gabriel Boulevard. He made a name for himself specializing in custom spaulding camshafts and dyno tune-ups for carbeuration and ignition optimization. He remains most well known for his innovative collapsible motorcycle and hydraulic brake unit as well as motor mounts, chain guards, manifolds, exhaust headers, air stacks, reed plates, sprocket spools, and gas tanks. Many of these parts are still sought after to this day on vintage go-kart forums more than 60 years later.

Among his many accomplishments Bob was the chief mechanic for grocery store tycoon Ray Crawford. Bob rode with Ray as a riding mechanic on the Lincoln Capri that won the November 1954 La Carrera Panamericana (Mexican Road Race). In 1957 Bob was inducted as an associate member of the Society for Automotive Engineering. In 1961 he won the Western outboard Association’s annual Catalina Island Race Classic. Bob’s claim to fame was featured in the February 1963 edition of Hot Rod Magazine detailing his innovative adaptation of up to eight Dellorto carburetors on the Corvair engine.

In 1964 Bob married the love of his life Shelia Gayle Rawlinson. Together they lived in San Gabriel Valley and in 1967 Robert Paul— also a namesake tribute to grandpappy— joined the family. Bob’s business became the family business. Together Bob and Shelia were a powerful pair, expanding the location on San Gabriel boulevard eventually establishing a Subaru and Saab dealership in 1971. The family made their home in an apartment above the original shop and their weekends were full of activities. They hosted family gatherings and impromptu quail hunts at their Wrightwood, CA property and made frequent trips to Catalina Island on any one of Bob’s yachts, always accompanied by their dog Cricket.

After falling in love with the Pacific Northwest, the family moved to Anacortes, WA in 1980. Bob kept himself busy repairing private yachts and overseeing the construction of a traditional English Tudor style home on their forested plot overlooking the Puget Sound. The family eventually went back into business in 1990 with the founding of Palmini Marine Industries. Bob ran a small machine shop and was well known throughout the San Juan islands for custom fabricated stainless steel and fiberglass parts he often referred to as “boat jewelry.”

Bob and Shelia spent their retirement in San Antonio, Texas. Bob rekindled his childhood hobby building radio controlled airplanes with his friends at the Alamo Radio Control Society. He was known for restorations of his and others’ crashed planes. No matter how extensive the damage, to everyone’s surprise he’d have the plane back on the tarmac within weeks.

Bob’s legendary story is an inspiration to those who knew him. He was a patriot, an inventor and a pioneer who served his country and above all was committed to his family. He was larger than life and will be missed by so many.

Bob was preceded in death by his mother Virginia (1988), father Andrew (2003), and brother Jim (2007).

Bob is survived by his wife Shelia, half-brother Dick (Cecelia) Carr, half-sister Joan (David) Hensley, daughter Robyn (George) Anzelon, son Robert Palmini, grandchildren Amy Mills and Andrew Palmini, as well as great-grandchildren Avery Nicole Mills and Trevor Anthony Mills.

We extend our deepest gratitude to the staff at Blue Skies of Texas, especially Bob's dedicated caretakers, for their kind, loving, and attentive care. Their compassion will never be forgotten.

A memorial service in honor of Bob will be held on June 16th, 2023, at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery. May Bob's memory continue to inspire and live on in the hearts of all who knew him. Rest in peace, dear Bob.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.neptunesociety.com/location/san-antonio-cremation for the Palmini family.