Robert Warren

December 9, 1931 - February 13, 2021

Robert Warren, attorney, philanthropist, community and professional leader, passed away peacefully with his family surrounding him at his home in San Marino. His life exemplified a blending of whole-hearted appreciation of life and the good things in it, with hard work, commitment, integrity, and service to his family, friends, profession, and community.

Bob graduated from the University of Southern California in 1953 and USC Law School in 1956. At law school, Bob graduated as salutatorian and with honors, serving as an editor of the USC Law Review. Following graduation he served as a Lieutenant in the US Army's Judge Advocate General's School for two years. In 1959 he joined the firm of Gibson, Dunn, and Crutcher, where he practiced for 41 years until semi-retirement in 2000. Bob was based in the firm's Los Angeles office where he had a broad-based litigation practice. He was the consummate trial lawyer who could handle any kind of case. He served on the firm's Executive Committee from 1981 to 1996 and was the longstanding Chair of the Hiring Committee. He was passionate about recruiting and training young lawyers and was a mentor to generations of litigators. Bob received many professional awards and honors, served on the Judicial Council of California Civil Jury Instructions, was a lifetime member of the USC Law School Board of Councilors, and was a fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers. He was also a former officer of the Los Angeles County Bar Association, and past president of the Los Angeles County Bar Foundation.

Bob was generous with his time and legal expertise in addition to financial contributions. He served on the board of the Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens from 1996 until being elected Emeritus in 2017. He was also involved with the Fellows, Community Relations Committee, and the Library Collectors Council. He was also very active in the Valley Hunt Club in Pasadena and was the Club's president in 2006.

Above all, Bob was devoted to his family, a support and champion in all stages of life, across the generations. He was the son of Harry and Maxine Hopkins Warren and was married to Betty Lou Soden Warren from 1955 until her death in 1991. He was married to Anna Marie Trench Pretzel Warren from 1993 until her death in 2014. He is survived by his two children, Kimberly and Stephen, daughter-in-law Carol Ann, two grandchildren and three stepdaughters.

San Marino Tribune, March 25, 2021