Bob Lavin: A Humble Man That Gets Things Done

GRAND TERRACE>> Bob Lavin wears many hats as he is constantly doing good works to help the community and veterans who have served our country. As a Grand Terrace resident for 40 years, Lavin said he noticed Grand Terrace did not previously have anything to honor the veterans. Lavin said when Grand Terrace Mayor Darcy McNaboe was previously campaigning to be on the council, she knocked on Lavin’s door and asked him if there was anything he felt the city needed. He told her his observations of there being nothing to honor the veterans in the city. When McNaboe got elected, Lavin said the two met up again and talked about what could be done, ultimately starting the beginning of the Freedom Wall at Pico Park in Grand Terrace. Lavin said it was a team effort of the Veteran Wall of Freedom Committee, the Grand Terrace Foundation, the City of Grand Terrace and the sponsors who helped make it possible. Lavin said the wall is for the veterans in the community, as well as other veterans outside of the community who helped serve the country. Lavin was born and raised in San Bernardino and in 1966, he served his country by serving in the U.S. Army. While in the army, Lavin served in South East Asia including Vietnam until 1968. During his time in the service, he married his wife, Lupe, and the two have been married for more than 50 years. After returning from the service, Lavin attended the University of Redlands where he received a bachelors in business administration. After graduating, Lavin worked for City of Colton as the Water Utilities Manager for 26 years. He later started his own consulting business working with local cities. He then was hired on to work full time for San Jacinto as the Public Works Director. Now, Lavin is retired but has committed his time and dedication to numerous organizations including the Wall of Freedom Committee, Vietnam Veterans of America, American Legion and AMVETS. “The veterans need to be acknowledged more than they are now and that’s why I serve and do whatever I can for the veterans,” Lavin said. Lavin is also a Service Officer for the American Legion and Chairman for the Boys State for American Legion Post 155 in Colton. Lavin helped host the Veterans Wall of Freedom Dedication Ceremony at Pico Park in Grand Terrace Friday, Nov. 11 and also hosts other ceremonies for many veteran organizations. Currently, he is working on bringing the Vietnam Traveling Memorial Wall for a week in 2018 to either Rialto or Bloomington and will help host the ceremony. The Vietnam wall is a 3/5 scale of the Vietnam Memorial in Washington D.C. and stands six feet tall at the center and covers almost 300 feet from end to end. “This Traveling Memorial stands as a reminder of the great sacrifices made during the Vietnam War,” the wall’s website states. “It was made for the purpose of helping heal and rekindle friendships and to allow people the opportunity to visit loved ones in their home town who otherwise may not be able to make the trip to Washington.” Lavin said he has numerous friends on the wall including his best friend, Loui Ramos, who joined the U.S. Marines before Lavin joined the army. Unfortunately, Ramos did not make it back but is honored on the wall. Lavin lives with his wife in Grand Terrace and together they have two children, Bobby and Lisa.