Remembering Robert Georgeon 1923-2010

Robert Marcel Georgeon died on August 15, at the age of 87, following a brief illness. Born in Royan, France on March 9, 1923, his strong French accent never left him. He had many fond memories of his grandfather's small farm on the edge of town where his grandfather grew grapes, asparagus and most of the family food. When he was 9 years old, his family moved to Paris. He was 16 years old at the outbreak of the Second World War and lived through five years of the German occupation of France. In the wake of the D-Day invasion, he, along with nine friends, joined General Patton's Third Army (in a French Division) and served for two years in France and Germany.

In 1949, he and his first wife, Gisele, moved to Australia where their first child, Patti, was born. Eight years later they emigrated to New Caledonia where his second daughter Michele was born. In 1960 the family emigrated to the United States where he became a citizen and worked for many years as an electronic designer for Bell and Howell.

In his forties, after he commented on the beauty of the southern California mountains, a colleague urged him to take up hiking with the Sierra Club, and he quickly became an accomplished outdoorsman. He led numerous backpacking excursions for the Sierra Singles Section of the Angeles Chapter of the Sierra Club. He led many popular ski trips as well, and in 1979 was elected Chairman of the Sierra Singles Section.

Thirty-two years ago, while leading a hike, he met Elizabeth Spedding Calciano--they fell in love and married in 1992. Mr. Georgeon had a reputation for saying little but making his point with a brief and witty comment. He was also an outstanding cook.He is survived by his second wife, Elizabeth Georgeon; two daughters, Michele Georgeon and Patti Baron; two grandchildren, Allyson and Gabriel Valfré; his son-in-law Richard Baron; and his sister Giselle Christmann. He is also survived by three stepchildren, Andrew and Graham Calciano and Elizabeth Fagan, their spouses and seven grandchildren. Nous t'aimons Grand-père.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Angeles Chapter of the Sierra Club at 'Sierra Club Angeles Chapter, 3250 Wilshire Blvd. #1106, LA 90010' or online.