Jack Goodwin Raub passed away in his sleep of natural causes on June 26, 2016, in Friday Harbor, Washington. Jack was born on March 25, 1936 in Santa Ana, California, the first child of Mr. and Mrs. Jack Saunders Raub. He grew up in Newport Beach at a time when a kid could explore what was then a wild coastline. He was always drawn to the water and built his first sailboat at the age of 10; by 14 he was sailing solo on his next hand-built sloop to Catalina Island for the weekend, keeping his promise to his mother to be home in time for Sunday dinner. He met the love of his life, Sondra L. Harbert of Laguna Beach, at Orange Coast College in March 1955. They were married the following January and celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary this year. Jack first worked as a draftsman and civil designer for the Orange County Harbor Department. He then went to work for his father at Jack S. Raub Company, a leading surveying firm that mapped the majority of Orange County, from newly incorporated cities to notable sites such as Disneyland. When the company had fully expanded to include engineering by the early 1960s, it became Raub, Bein, Frost & Associates (RBF). Jack was influential as a key collaborator and Company Partner on numerous projects including Dana Point Harbor, South Coast Plaza, Fashion Island, Linda Isle, Promontory Point and an ambitious 30-year project, Mission Viejo. In 1976, Jack left RBF and formed the Jack G. Raub Company, a civil engineering firm for private and government entities. His company was involved in all phases of land development including surveying, design, construction engineering, zoning and environmental compliance. In 1979 the parent company of Mission Viejo, Philip Morris Inc., bought out Jack’s firm of more than 350; Jack remained president of his namesake subsidiary and also became Executive Vice President of the Mission Viejo Company. He and his team focused entirely on creating several of the largest planned communities in the USA: Mission Viejo and Aliso Viejo in California, and Highlands Ranch in Colorado. In 1986, Jack also became involved in commercial development and was named President and Chief Operating Officer of the Mission Viejo Business Properties Division. In addition to his business career, Jack was forever a dedicated sailor, having competed in local, regional and national races; one highlight was winning a place on the 1972 US Olympic team for the two man, 24′ keelboat, Tempest class. He was the Commodore of South Shore Sailing Club in Newport Beach in 1962, and he served as West Coast Fleet Captain for the Tempest class in the early to the mid-70s. His love of the water extended to cruising and fishing, from southern Mexico to northern Alaska. In 1985 he held a world record for landing a 77-pound Pacific Halibut on a 12-pound line, one never recorded before and one not surpassed for several years. When not on the water, Jack was always involved in design and building – he could make anything to precision. When he retired in 1990, Jack and Sondra settled on San Juan Island in the Pacific Northwest, allowing new waters to explore and the opportunity to create his dream workshop. He again served as Commodore in 1996, this time for the San Juan Island Yacht Club. In the 26 years he lived on the island, he and Sondra were active participants in many philanthropic endeavors, from founding contributors to the San Juan Community Theater to supporters of many local charitable institutions and art installations. Jack is survived by his beloved wife: Sondra; sister: Kathleen Bell; two children: Michael and Kathleen Raub; daughter-in-law Carrie and grandson Andrew Raub. A private memorial will be held at a later time. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Animal Protection Society of Friday Harbor.
Jack R Raub – Obituary March 1936 – June 2016
Jack Goodwin Raub passed away in his sleep of natural causes on June 26, 2016, in Friday Harbor, Washington. Jack was born on March 25, 1936 in Santa Ana, California, the first child of Mr. and Mrs. Jack Saunders Raub. He grew up in Newport Beach at a time when a kid could explore what was then a wild coastline. He was always drawn to the water and built his first sailboat at the age of 10; by 14 he was sailing solo on his next hand-built sloop to Catalina Island for the weekend, keeping his promise to his mother to be home in time for Sunday dinner. He met the love of his life, Sondra L. Harbert of Laguna Beach, at Orange Coast College in March 1955. They were married the following January and celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary this year. Jack first worked as a draftsman and civil designer for the Orange County Harbor Department. He then went to work for his father at Jack S. Raub Company, a leading surveying firm that mapped the majority of Orange County, from newly incorporated cities to notable sites such as Disneyland. When the company had fully expanded to include engineering by the early 1960s, it became Raub, Bein, Frost & Associates (RBF). Jack was influential as a key collaborator and Company Partner on numerous projects including Dana Point Harbor, South Coast Plaza, Fashion Island, Linda Isle, Promontory Point and an ambitious 30-year project, Mission Viejo. In 1976, Jack left RBF and formed the Jack G. Raub Company, a civil engineering firm for private and government entities. His company was involved in all phases of land development including surveying, design, construction engineering, zoning and environmental compliance. In 1979 the parent company of Mission Viejo, Philip Morris Inc., bought out Jack's firm of more than 350; Jack remained president of his namesake subsidiary and also became Executive Vice President of the Mission Viejo Company. He and his team focused entirely on creating several of the largest planned communities in the USA: Mission Viejo and Aliso Viejo in California, and Highlands Ranch in Colorado. In 1986, Jack also became involved in commercial development and was named President and Chief Operating Officer of the Mission Viejo Business Properties Division. In addition to his business career, Jack was forever a dedicated sailor, having competed in local, regional and national races; one highlight was winning a place on the 1972 US Olympic team for the two man, 24' keelboat, Tempest class. He was the Commodore of South Shore Sailing Club in Newport Beach in 1962, and he served as West Coast Fleet Captain for the Tempest class in the early to the mid-70s. His love of the water extended to cruising and fishing, from southern Mexico to northern Alaska. In 1985 he held a world record for landing a 77-pound Pacific Halibut on a 12-pound line, one never recorded before and one not surpassed for several years. When not on the water, Jack was always involved in design and building – he could make anything to precision. When he retired in 1990, Jack and Sondra settled on San Juan Island in the Pacific Northwest, allowing new waters to explore and the opportunity to create his dream workshop. He again served as Commodore in 1996, this time for the San Juan Island Yacht Club. In the 26 years he lived on the island, he and Sondra were active participants in many philanthropic endeavors, from founding contributors to the San Juan Community Theater to supporters of many local charitable institutions and art installations. Jack is survived by his beloved wife: Sondra; sister: Kathleen Bell; two children: Michael and Kathleen Raub; daughter-in-law Carrie and grandson Andrew Raub. A private memorial will be held at a later time. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Animal Protection Society of Friday Harbor.
