Civic leader Robert Hepburn dies at 84

Robert Chacon

Robert E. Hepburn, a longtime Glendale resident and business owner

who volunteered for numerous civic organizations and served on city

commissions, has died. He was 84.

Hepburn suffered an aneurysm, said his son, Bill Hepburn. He died

Sept. 15.

Born Oct. 5, 1919, in Fillmore, Calif., Hepburn moved with his

parents to Glendale in 1923, where they lived in a small single-story

home on Howard Street before moving to a larger home on Louise

Street.

Growing up in Glendale, Robert, older brother David and younger

brother Harry spent time with numerous cousins who lived locally and

weekends at their grandparent’s farm in Santa Paula, recalled Harry

Hepburn.

“In those days you had to entertain yourself,” Harry Hepburn said.

“But he was a good older brother. When it came time to learn how to

ride a bike, he taught me. When it came time to learn how to drive a

car, he taught me that also.”

Robert Hepburn attended Glendale schools and graduated from Hoover

High School in 1937. He served in the U.S. Army for five years during

World War II, and served as a communications officer in the

Philippines, where he was responsible for photographing important

documents, including the peace treaty signed by the allied forces and

Japan’s Emperor Hirohito in 1945.

When he returned to the U.S., he continued his work at the family

business, Grand View Memorial Park, which his father had purchased in

1942. The family owned the cemetery until 1990. Robert Hepburn also

served as president and chief executive officer of the Triple H Co.,

a cemetery supply company owned by the Hepburn brothers.

During his time as a businessman, Robert Hepburn served on

numerous community groups. He co-founded the Glendale Community

Foundation in 1952, which awards grants to various groups in the

city.

He was also a member of the Glendale City Planning Commission and

Zoning Commission, and served as president of the Rotary Club and

Junior Chamber of Commerce. Hepburn also helped raise money for other

groups, including the YMCA, YWCA and the Glendale Symphony.

“He had a great life. Just unbelievable,” said his son, Bill. “He

was always smiling. Whistling and smiling.”

Robert Hepburn will be laid to rest at 10 a.m. Saturday at Grand

View Memorial Park. Visitation is 3 to 7 p.m. Friday at Kiefer &

Eyerick Mortuary on the cemetery grounds.

In addition to his brother, Harry, and son, Bill, Hepburn is

survived by his wife, Ellen; sons, Robert Jr. and Jim; and three

grandchildren, Stephanie, Blake and Jeffrey.