Chaffeyans

Greetings Chaffeyans –

Below is the agenda for our next meeting on Friday, March 8, from 10:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. in the Information Services Conference Room. We hope to see you there!

Greetings Chaffeyans,

Join us for Taco Tuesday and see how much fun retirement can be! We look forward to seeing you on March 19th at Joseph Filippi Winery.

Please RSVP to [email protected] by March 12th. We look forward to toasting friendship with you at this fun event.

Greetings Chaffeyans,

Please join us on Tuesday, March 19th for Taco Tuesday! See below for additional details. We look forward to seeing you there!

Greetings Chaffeyans –

Below is the agenda for our next meeting on Friday, February 9 from 10:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. in the Information Services Conference Room (map below). We hope to see you there!

A friendly reminder to please join us at the Chaffeyans’ Holiday Party on December 7th, 2023. We look forward to celebrating the beauty of the season with good friends and fabulous food together. Please RSVP by November 30th so we may ensure an accurate headcount. Hope to see you there!

Chaffeyans,

It's the holidays again! We hope you will join us for our biggest and most fun event of the year. We've got a larger room to accommodate the growing number of folks who want to participate. And as always, maybe a surprise or two while there.

We can't wait to see everyone who's attended in the past. And for anyone who hasn't been before, please come and make this a new holiday tradition. It's fun and a great way to start your holidays.

Please RSVP by November 30 at [email protected]. We need an accurate count for this celebration.

Hope to see you there!

Greetings Chaffeyans,

Please join us for our first event of the year on Tuesday, September 12th for Taco Tuesday! See below for additional details. We look forward to seeing you there!

Chaffeyans celebrated the retirement of the 2022-23 retirees at the Chaffey College Service Awards/Retiree Luncheon on Wednesday, August 9 in the Sports Center. Congratulations!!

Chaffeyan Bob Markovich's photographs will be on exhibition at the Street Space Gallery in Santa Ana, July 1-August 5. Opening reception will be held on July 1 from 6-9pm (details below).

Bob's work will also appear in a group exhibition entitled All Media 2023 at the Irvine Fine Arts Center, opening reception July 8. For more information on this exhibition please visit the website at https://www.cityofirvine.org/irvine-fine-arts-center/all-media.

Greetings Chaffeyans –

Below is the agenda for our next meeting on Thursday, June 8 from 10:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. in Gym 119 (map below). We hope to see you there!

The Arts Area Gallery in Ontario presents a featured exhibition of works by photographer and Chaffeyan Robert "Bob" Markovich, May 20 through August 12, 2023. For additional information please visit the website at https://www.ontarioartwalk.org/oaw/theartsareawebsite

Mark your calendars!

Robert “Bob” Olivera, 79, died unexpectedly at his residence in California on Sunday, June 13, 2021. Bob was born in 1941 in Canton, Ohio to Paul and Concetta Olivera. Bob lost his father when he was nine years old and his mother while he was in the military. Bob had three brothers (Paul, David, and Carlos) and one sister (Linda); all deceased.

Bob’s work ethic started early in life with his first job as a caddy in Ohio when he was just eleven years old; so young that the golf clubs and bags were almost bigger than him. Bob graduated from high school in Canton in 1959. After high school, he worked with a landscaping company before he joined the Army in 1961. He deferred college until his service was completed and he moved to California. As a first-generation college student and student athlete, Bob attended Chaffey College from 1963 to 1965 (A.A. degree). He then transferred to the University of LaVerne on a baseball scholarship where he received a B.A. degree and teaching credentials in 1968. That same year, he not only joined the educational workforce but also married his fiancé of two years, Cathy. From 1968-1972 he was a reading specialist, speech and PE teacher, athletic director, and coach at Alta Loma Junior High. During this time, Bob also obtained his M.A. degree from the University of LaVerne in 1970. In 1973, Bob started his six-year tenure at Montclair High School as a reading specialist and coach in the football, basketball, and baseball programs. In the evenings of those years, Bob also taught reading through the Chaffey district adult school. Never to waste a minute of his life, he also worked multiple evenings and weekends in the Upland American Legion baseball program as coach and umpire. From the time his military service ended, he always worked additional part-time jobs to supplement his college and early teaching career. He had a highly varied employment record including such places as Pacific Forge and Kaiser Steel. In fact, you might have even caught him pumping gas and changing oil for customers before self-service stations existed.

In 1979, Bob returned to Chaffey College as a Reading Specialist. In 1982, Bob was additionally hired as the men’s and women’s Athletic Director. Even with this split full-time contract, Bob was able to develop and implement a substance-abuse program for athletes. In that same year, Bob started his many creative fundraising efforts to assist in financing athletics and to reinstate the men’s and women’s basketball programs. To further increase funding for athletes, in 1983 Bob created and instituted Chaffey College’s first annual golf tournament. These additional activities resulted in the creation of a new track, scoreboard, and athletic equipment. During 1983, Bob also served as the Hispanic Coordinator for the Chaffey College district and represented the college in the California State Special Olympics where he directed track and field events. He also participated on the Foothill Conference Behavioral Task Force for student athletes. In 1985, Bob was able to have men’s football reinstated. In the same year, Bob became the recipient of the Chaffey College Inaugural Presidential Award for outstanding service to school and community. In 1988, Bob became full-time Athletic Director. This was also the year he received the Philanthropy Award for Professionalism. Additionally, Bob served as Foothill Conference president from 1989-1991 and again from 2005-2007.

In 1992, Bob became Director of Athletics and Physical Education. In 1995, Bob developed and implemented the annual Hall of Fame event to honor past athletes and service providers, an award he ultimately received himself in 2011. In 1997, Bob created and initiated innovative full-time coaching contracts unique to California Community Colleges.
Bob received the President’s Excellence Award for Meritorious Service for outstanding contribution to Chaffey College and continued commitment to excellence and dedication to education in 1991, 1993, 1995, 1997, and 1999.

In 2002, Bob became the Associate Dean of Physical Education and Athletics. In 2003, Bob was able to have men’s and women’s soccer, women’s water polo, and men’s track and field reinstated. Bob’s active involvement also contributed to the renovation of the swimming pool and the Earl Sicosky gymnasium as well as the construction of the new softball field and sports center which have created venues for both students and community members.

During his 30 years at Chaffey College, Bob served on a myriad of committees and continued to initiate many programs for student athletes including the Student Athletic Assistance program which provides athletes with confidential non-punitive means of receiving assistance for personal issues and weekly breakfasts for high school athletes and community members. Through the years he also developed and implemented a full-time athletic counselor position and offered an expanded comprehensive physical education curriculum including classes with advanced technology, online classes, and adaptive physical education.

Bob’s ability to persevere while remaining steadfast to task proved invaluable after experiencing a heart attack and triple bypass in 1982 and a six-way bypass in 2000. Bob always returned to work in short order so that ideas and innovation could be accomplished. In 2003, Bob was recognized by the local addition of the L.A. Times newspaper as one of the 66 most influential people in the community. In 2008, Bob was made a full dean. That same year, he was asked to throw out the first pitch at Quake’s Stadium.

At the time of his retirement in 2009, a request was received from the Honorable David Dreier, a member of Congress, that the American flag be flown in Bob’s honor over the U.S. Capitol in celebration of Veteran’s Day.

Bob would be the first to tell you that through the years he had wonderful support staff. Sherry Ortiz and the rest of his tremendous staff (Jane, Debra, and Stephanie), who coined themselves “The Bobettes,” offered immeasurable assistance for which he was always grateful.

He cherished the many friendships that were formed in the years he was in education and in all other areas of his life.

In retirement, Bob took pleasure in spending time at his residence in Las Vegas, golfing, traveling, and playing poker as well as enjoying every moment with his family and friends.

In 2019, Bob had another coronary which resulted in an emergency aortic valve replacement. Less than a year later he was diagnosed with cancer. In usual Bob fashion, he never complained or said he ever felt anything but “great.” Three days before he died, he was having coffee and hitting golf balls with his son-in-law, Bruce, getting a haircut, and having his car washed as well as talking to his many friends who called from all over the United States. He was so eager to get out and do the things he couldn’t do because of the pandemic. He was really looking forward to Father’s Day as Melanie was preparing his favorite foods. Bob was a true people-person who enjoyed life to the fullest. He remained optimistic and happy to the end.

Bob is survived by his cherished wife of 53 years and best friend of 55 years, Cathy, his daughter Melanie, son-in-law Bruce, sisters-in-law Patty and Tina, many nieces, nephews, and cousins as well as numerous great friends spread across the United States.

A bright light has gone out in our lives, but it will shine on through the deeds of an honorable man who cared always for the welfare of others. Bob’s work ethic, joy, loyalty, creativity, resilience, and most of all his kindness, will be his legacy forever.

Bob, we will miss and love you always… until we meet again.

Services will be held on Tuesday, June 29, 2021, at 10:00 a.m. at Todd’s Claremont Memorial Chapel located at 325 North Indian Hill Blvd. Interment will immediately follow at Pomona Valley Memorial Park, located at 502 East Franklin.

In lieu of flowers, consider a donation in Bob’s name to the Chaffey College Foundation:
https://chaffey.kindful.com/?campaign=1133881 or to a charity of your choice.