Robert Thomas Deem; Retired CSUN Administrator

Robert Thomas Deem, retired director of development at Cal State Northridge and former executive director of Pacific Lodge Boys’ Home in Woodland Hills, has died at his Northridge home. He was 62.

Deem died Saturday of cancer, said his wife, Elsa.

Born March 24, 1928, in Bakersfield, Deem began working in the late 1950s at San Fernando Valley State College, the precursor to Cal State Northridge. Deem helped to establish the college’s bookstore and cafeteria and managed Devonshire Downs, long used as a fairground and an exhibition hall, his wife said.

He later became director of development at CSUN, coordinating fund-raising efforts and community outreach programs. He worked at the university until his retirement in the early 1980s.

He served as executive director of the Pacific Lodge Boys’ Home in Woodland Hills from 1983-85 and later, with his wife, started a sign manufacturing company called Zelzah Designs.

Deem was a board member of the Northridge Chamber of Commerce from 1987-90, president of Fernando Award Inc. in 1987, president of the Northridge Rotary Club in 1974, president of the Northridge Community Coordinating Council from 1972 to 1973, a member of the San Fernando Valley Industrial Assn. and of the Granada Hills and Calabasas chambers of commerce. From 1971 to 1977, he was a reserve officer with the Los Angeles Police Department.

He is survived by his wife of 39 years; son Bradley Thomas Deem of Sacramento; daughters Cheri McKay of Woodland Hills, Lisa Pacheco of Woodcrest and Nancy Richards of Huntsville, Ala.; brother Don Deem of Santa Ana; and five grandchildren.

Visitation is planned from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Wednesday at Lorenzen Mortuary, 19300 Sherman Way in Reseda, which is handling the arrangements. A memorial service is scheduled for 4 p.m. Wednesday at the Faith Bible Church of Northridge at 8212 Louise Ave., where he was a past chairman of the board of elders. Donations can be sent in Deem’s name to the Faith Bible Church of Northridge.