Robert “Bob” Nelson Tangel passed away peacefully on Oct. 23, 2024 in Medford, Oregon. Bob was born on May 20,1940 in Elizabeth, New Jersey, to Oscar and Dorthy Tangel.

Bob joined the Air force in October 1963 and served four years working in Crypto Communications at George AFB in Victorville, California.

In May 1965, Bob secured a job at Delco Systems Operations (a division of General Motors) in Goleta. Bob and Sharon raised their family in Goleta and lived there until they moved to Medford, Oregon, to retire in 2008.

Bob worked on many programs at Delco including Apollo Lunar Rover, Apollo spacecraft guidance computer, Carousel IV, Titan & Delta guidance systems, and Inertial Upper Stage (IUS), just to name a few.

He ultimately retired as a quality engineer before Delco’s sale to Litton, coming back to part time contract work for Litton.

Bob loved to ride his motorcycle which he used to commute daily to work. This is where he got his CB handle “Short Rider.” He upgraded from CB radio to his new passion, Ham radio, with the call sign WD6ESU. He made weekly calls to his uncle in Florida (K4IKT) on the HF band as long-distance phone calls were expensive.

Bob joined the Santa Barbara Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES), providing community service for events and emergencies, also providing communication for the Los Padres Search & Rescue Team (later renamed Santa Barbara County Search & Rescue).

Bob would spend around 30 years volunteering to support ARES and Search & Rescue, which also allowed for some father-son bonding time as Andy was on the Search & Rescue Team for almost 20 of those years.

Bob continued his love of serving by volunteering at the Rogue Valley Manor. He was part of the Ham radio club, the remote boating club, and a big part of the Pick Up Crew. He was also a leader in the development and implementation of the Vision Center at Rogue Valley Manor, and always willing to lend a hand.

Bob is loved and missed by his beloved wife of 62 years, Sharon; four children Tamara Wilson (Joel Wilson), Andrew Tangel (Jennifer Tangel), Elizabeth Thaanum (Micheal Thaanum), and Tawnya Eller (Bill Eller); nine grandchildren; and seven great grandchildren.

We are grateful he is in the loving arms of our Lord and Savior.

In lieu of flowers please donate to Santa Barbara County Search & Rescue Team