Roger Del Mar

November 14, 1904 - July 14, 1996

Roger Alexander Del Mar, 91, of Solvang, California died July 14, 1996 at Santa Ynez Valley Cottage Hospital. He was born November 14, 1904 in Pasadena, the son of pioneer Californians.

His mother Belle Rogers came from a ranching family in Lompoc. She was educated at the first mission school opened in Santa Barbara. His father, Algernon Del Mar was a well-known and respected mining engineer and metallurgist. Much of Roger's early years were spent in mining towns throughout the United States and Canada.

He graduated from Pomona College with a bachelor of arts degree in economics and went to work for the Firestone Tire and Rubber Company in Los Angeles for 25 years. He was credited with numerous inventions and advances in tire production, lecturing on production cost analysis at UCLA. Then he became division chief and manager of Aeroplastics Corporation and then moved to Del Mar Engineering Laboratories in El Segundo, where he worked on aerial weapons training systems and medical electronics.

He loved the outdoors, exploring California mountains. He traveled in Europe and Asia. He retired in 1971 and relocated to the valley. He loved gardening and models of mining milling operations, railway cars and steam engines.

He was predeceased by first wife Marjorie and daughter Marilyn. Survivors include wife Nina, sons Roger Jr and David, daughters Brenda and Nancy, 12 grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren and brothers Bruce (SPHS '31) and Walter Del Mar (SPHS '38).

Santa Ynez Valley News, July 18, 1996