Robert James Loscotoff

Robert "Bob" James Loscotoff, age 74, died at his home in Springville, California, on December 16th, 2023, following a long battle with Parkinson's Disease.

Robert was born in Santa Rosa, California, on February 3rd, 1949. He was the third and youngest son of Michael Loscotoff and Genevieve Storer Loscotoff. Robert grew up on his family farm which included a prominent egg business. Robert graduated from Santa Rosa High School in 1967 where he played water polo, swam, and was a member of FAA. He worked as a lifeguard and once saved a young man from drowning in the Russian river.

Robert earned his AA at Santa Rosa Junior College and then played soccer and earned his BA in psychology from UC Santa Barbara. He met his wife, Jean Ogilvie, at UCSB. They married in 1972, moving to Porterville in 1973, where Robert took a job as a Probation Officer. He raised his two daughters, Anna and Dena, in Porterville. He was an avid soccer coach for Porterville AYSO, coaching many teams and refereeing for the league. As his daughters grew, he joined his family in acting at the Barn Theater, acting in small parts and later finding his spot in the lighting booth or backstage.

Following 12 years as a probation officer, he became an elementary school teacher, first in Pixley, then for Porterville Public Schools. He taught at Vandalia and John J. Doyle in Kindergarten, 1st, and 6th grade, later becoming a Reading Recovery teacher where he taught students individually. He fought for literacy in his students and worked to supply them with books at home. He did a wonderful impression of Grover and read to his youngest students through a Grover puppet. One of his favorite books was "Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIHM", a book that he talked about fondly in his last month of life; a book his family read to him in his last days.

Robert is survived by his wife of 51 years, Jean Ogilvie Loscotoff, of Springville, CA, his daughter Anna Loscotoff Dohnke, her husband Frederick and their daughter Isabella, of Porterville, CA, and his daughter Dena Loscotoff Kalar, her husband Kenneth Kalar, and their children Connor and Zoe, of Clovis, Ca. Robert is also survived by his two older brothers, Michael Loscotoff of Fairfield, CA, and William Loscotoff of Sacramento, CA, and his sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Marilyn Ogilvie Knesel and Jim Knesel of Springville, Ca., as well as 10 nieces and nephews. Last but not least, he is survived by his dog, Elsa, who lay by his side to the very end.

He was preceded in death by his parents, and his dog Einstein, who we know was waiting for him on the other side.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Robert's name through the Michael J Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research, or through his tribute page at <https://tribute.michaeljfox.org/>. No services are planned at this time.

Arrangements are being handled by Myers Funeral Service and Crematory, 248 North E Street, Porterville, California 93257. Online condolences may be made to the family at www.myersfuneral.com