Russell W Hobbs

November 2, 1924 -- September 17, 2023

Russell Hobbs was born in Spokane, Washington on November 2, 1924 and passed on September 17, 2023. Russ came to Southern California as a young boy, attended UCLA, studying art, and later UC Berkely, where he obtained a Bachelor of Arts in Architecture.

Russell served in WWII in combat in Germany as a rifle platoon leader. Later, he was re-deployed to the Pacific Theater where he served in the Army of Occupation in Japan. Upon return to the States, he was again ordered back to active duty on the front lines in Korea. Among his medals are the Silver Medal and the Purple Heart.

In between these deployments, Russell married Martha, finished school, had two girls, and built their home in Richmond, CA (with no power tools). After 45 years of marriage, Martha succumbed to MS.

Upon completion of his five years of active duty, Russ practiced commercial and residential archi-tecture for fifty years. He served as president of the Pasadena and Foothill chapters of the American Institute of Architects, and as a board member of the Blinn House Foundation serving as Director responsible for the historic house and grounds. He was very active in volunteer work to pre-serve the heritage of Pasadena landmarks and of Bungalow Heaven, where he resided for thirty years. He became a beloved artist of these landmarks and of the bungalows, providing detailed histories to the City of Pasadena and to the homeowners. During this time, he married Evelyn Bryant and enjoyed two decades of traveling and being with friends. Evelyn died in 2012.

Russell fell in love one more time with Sharon McCabe, a long-time Pasadena resident and also very active with the city. They married and eventually moved together to the Cal Vet Home in West Los Angeles. They enjoyed several loving years together.

Russell died peacefully, just shy of his 99th birthday, with Sharon by his side.

He leaves behind his daughters, Vivian Hobbs and Linda Liebel, both residing in San Jose, and Sharon, along with scores of friends, students, art patrons, and Bungalow Heaven neighbors.

He spread warmth and kindness to all, We were lucky to have him for a very long time, and we will miss him.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.neptunesociety.com/location/sherman-oaks-crema for the Hobbs family.