Robert Wayne Minkler

Robert Wayne Minkler died on July 1, 2021 at his home in Menifee, California at the age of 88. He was born on March 24th, 1933 to his parents Floyd and Mildred Minkler—the first of four children. Robert is remembered by his family and friends as a man who greatly loved the Lord Jesus Christ, who together with his wife (Eileen) of nearly 65 years raised their four children to seek and love the Lord. He is fondly remembered as a man with a wonderful and unique sense of humor, as a father and grandfather who loved to play with the children, and as a humble and kind man who quietly served the Lord as he and his wife raised their children in the Church.

Robert served in the Navy shortly after graduating from high school in 1951, his first day in boot camp was June 29th of the same year. He served his country during the Korean War, and spent time serving overseas in Japan. He married Eileen Crow on October 26th, 1956. Together they raised their four children—sons Steve, of San Jacinto, California; Don and Jim, of Bandon, Oregon, and daughter Robin, of Menifee, California.

Robert Minkler (Bob) distinguished himself as a designer of beautiful custom homes—a true artist. He started out as an estimator working for California Marble Company in Los Angeles in the late 1950's. He was frequently sent to homes in Beverly Hills and Bel Air to get measurements for the installation of marble in those hillside mansions. Over time, he developed a desire to pursue a career in home design. He was hired by Hedrick Company in Los Angeles and started out drawing plans for apartment buildings. In 1964, he was offered a job drawing house plans for Larry Weir in Escondido. Larry was a designer and builder who specialized in adobe house plans. After working with Larry for some time and getting experience in home design, Bob was hired to do building design for Pala Mesa Village near Fallbrook, California. Upon completion of the Pala Mesa project, he then became the home designer for the Don Souther Company in Fallbrook. Adobe house plans were also a specialty of the Don Souther Company. In 1973, Bob decided to go into his own business and began working out of his home in Escondido designing and drawing house plans. His company, Minkler Building Design, was born and continues today under his eldest son, Steve.

Bob had established a number of business contacts with sub-contractors and also continued to be the designer for the Don Souther Company on a contract basis. Over the years, his reputation for delivering high quality custom house plans became known in the Fallbrook and Bonsall areas of north San Diego County. For a number of years, he was a member of the American Institute of Building Design (A.I.B.D.). He has designed hundreds of homes in San Diego County alone over the years.

Robert has left his family and friends with a wealth of wonderful memories, memories both humorous and sweet. His love for the Lord and his quiet and generous servant-spirit in the Church has enriched the lives of many in ways which only the Lord Himself fully knows and remembers. He is survived by his wife, Eileen, his sons Steve, Don and Jim, and by his daughter Robin. He is also survived by 9 grandchildren: Sarah, Carrie, Craig, Kevin, Lisa, Stephanie, Josh, Hallie and Nena, and by his 6 great grandchildren: Bethany, Riley, Abigail, Theodore, Jack and Emmett. In addition, he is survived by his sister Marian Hope, his sister Phyllis Johansen, and his brother Duane Minkler.

No obituary created by human effort will ever reveal the depth of gratitude his family possess for the manner in which he lived his life among and before them. Both family and friends who share with him a love for the Lord Jesus gladly look forward to that wonderful day when they will unite with him once again—worshiping around the Throne of God with great joy!

Robert’s service will be held at the Evans Brown Mortuary Chapel in Menifee, California on July 15th at 1:00 PM, a sharing time with refreshments to follow in the reception room. If any would like to make a donation in Robert’s name, his wife and his family would be blessed to have Bibles donated to the Gideons. Those interested can discover how to do so at www.gideons.org.

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