Elmer (Bob) Robert Picard August 19, 1947 – December 21, 2021

Elmer (Bob) Robert Picard, you are the most wonderful man I know and the love of my life, even though you took your last breath on December 21, 2021, due to a massive stroke (exactly when and how your dad died so many years ago). We will be honoring your life on your 75th birthday, August 19, 2022, at 2:30 p.m., at Bakersfield National Cemetery, with an Honor Guard and a 21-gun salute. Immediately following will be a celebration of your life party at our amazing Country Oaks Ranch home in Tehachapi, California. I am asking family and friends to please bring stories and pictures to share.

You started your life on August 19, 1947, in Madawaska, Maine, as the fourth of Condi and Laurette Picard's 10 children. After graduating from Ravenswood High School, you enlisted in the USMC, 1965-1969 with two additional years in the Reserves. While stationed in Da Nang, you fought for our freedom and rescued countless injured soldiers. In Vietnam, you crashed into the ocean and injured your knee by falling off the top of a CH53 while repairing it in a rainstorm.

You wisely used your military GI Bill benefits to earn a B.A. from CSUN. You married your pen pal, Beth, and together created a wonderful son and an incredibly confident daughter. They both gave you five adorable granddaughters. You chiseled out a multi-award-winning career in aerospace: 16 years at PAC and 35 years with Rockwell/Boeing.

We met in January 1985 and married in February 1988. We were blessed with two amazing sons, Joseph, and Christophe. You were ecstatic to hear that they and their fabulous fiancés had decided to give you additional grandbabies. Together we had 37 glorious years filled with many happy, loving memories and adventures together. You have been a loving husband, a devoted father, and an amazing provider to all eleven of us: A house for Beth, Rob and Danielle, five-acre oak-filled ranch home for us. It reminded us of the peace and tranquility of our many camping trips, but without the tents, air mattresses or outhouses.

Your last gifts to me were the miniature Gypsy breeding ponies so that I could hopefully break even while continuing to enjoy my pony passion. You were sometimes a little crusty on the outside but a marshmallow on the inside. We all joked that you had a selective memory. Your large collection of albums fueled your passion for music and you became a walking encyclopedia of music trivia.

My dear sweet Bob, thank you for coming into my life, for giving me two amazing sons, for loving me so much, for putting up with all my idiosyncrasies, and for taking such good care of all of us. Thank you for sending me in the right direction of finding things during this transitional time for both of us. I love you forever and always, in life and in death. I miss you terribly already. I am looking forward to seeing you again and making new adventures.

In lieu of flowers, Elmer (Bob) would be honored if you made donations to VFW, American Legion, Marine Corp League, or any of your favorite military organizations in his name.

Wood Family Funeral Service has been entrusted with his care. For condolences, please visit http://www.woodmortuary.net. Wood Family Funeral Services practice social distancing and wearing face masks/coverings is highly recommended.