“Faith, Hope, Love abide these three but the greatest of these is Love.” This verse from 1st Corinthians 13 reflects the manner in which Robert Lawson lived his life. He was a devoted husband, loving father, adoring grandfather, compassionate and giving minister. He was known for his quick sense of humor and warm personality.

Bob was a humble man, giving his all to his family, congregations and community. Born to Andrew and Lillie Lawson on July 30, 1919 in Poplar Montana he spent most of his childhood in Grove City, Minnesota. After high school graduation, Bob was drafted into the Army Air Corps and in 1946 received an honorable discharge. He moved to Los Angeles, California where he met and married Joyce LaVonne Webb on April 21, 1948.

Bob was ordained as a Lutheran minister in 1959. Bob formed two churches in the Conejo Valley; Holy Trinity Lutheran Church and Westlake Lutheran Church. With warm and loving congregations they shared in God’s work together. Bob also worked as Director of Admissions and Financial Aide at California Lutheran College (now CLU). After retirement Bob became chaplain of Westlake Hospital and then Los Robles Medical Center.

In the 1980s Bob wrote a spiritual column for the Acorn entitled “The Deacon Says.” In 2007 Bob and his wife moved to University Village.

Bob joined his Heavenly Father on November 18, 2009. He is survived by his loving wife of 61 years, Joyce; his daughters: Roxanne, Kirsten and Karis; his sons-in-law: Denis and Paul, his grandchildren: Alyssa and her husband Aaron, Laurel, Jenevieve and Carter.

Services will be held at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church on December 4, 2009 at 4:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers Bob would have wished for donations to World Hunger, Holy Trinity Lutheran Church or Westlake Lutheran Church 48T45B