Renowned local architect dies at 96

Architect Robert R. Inslee, known for his architectural designs for Glendale schools and other public facilities, died on Sunday at Windsor Manor retirement home.

Inslee, a Glendale resident, was 96.

“We just remember that he was a church architect of great prominence,” daughter Regina Ingram said. “And almost every weekend we would go to a groundbreaking. Most of our vacations were centered around the jobs he was involved in with architecture.”

After he graduated from Glendale High School in 1928, Inslee earned his architecture degree from UC Berkeley.

He began his career in 1938, when he designed and built his home on Garfield Avenue, where his family lived for 38 years.

Inslee worked on numerous projects in Glendale, including the earthquake retrofitting and remodeling of Muir and Mann elementary schools and Roosevelt Middle School.

In 1955, he participated in the rehabilitation of the Civic Auditorium. Other projects included the Adult Recreation Center building, Pacific Park pool and recreation building and the remodeling of Sparr Heights Community Center.

“We would be driving down the street with my kids, and I’d be able to point out and say, ‘look that’s something that your grandfather had built,’” Inslee’s daughter, Rosemary Stevens, said of her father.

But Inslee was not only an architect, he was also a teacher. He taught architectural and mechanical drawing at Hoover High School. He also originated and developed the vocational architectural drafting courses at Glendale Community College from 1938 to 1941.

In 1945, he met Robert Orr, a church architect. Inslee got involved with the rehabilitation of 15 churches, including the First Lutheran Church in Glendale, which he was a member of since 1929.

Inslee also served as chairman of the city’s Planning Commission from 1961 to 1969.

In 1987, he joined the Design Review board.

Community service played a big role in Inslee’s life and career.

He was a member of the Kiwanis Club of Glendale. He served on the Citizenship and Patriotism Committee of the Glendale Chamber of Commerce.

In 1999, he was awarded the Patriot of the Year Award from the Glendale Chamber of Commerce.

“I have known him for several years ? at least 25 years ? as a commissioner, a member of Glendale Kiwanis, and a member of our citizenship and patriotism organization,” said former Glendale Mayor Larry Zarian. “He was a true American, a dedicated public servant, a person of class. He always spoke to everyone about everyone with great respect. He’s going to be a tremendous loss.”

Born on Aug. 1, 1910, in Siebert, Colo., Inslee came to Glendale in 1924.

He moved to Windsor Manor in 1999.

Inslee was survived by his daughter, Regina Ingram, and son-in-law Paul; daughter Rosemary Stevens and son-in-law Howard; granddaughter Gail Kinner and husband David; grandson Robert Ingram;granddaughter Rachel Poland and husband John; and grandson Aaron Stevens.

A memorial service will be at 2 p.m. Thursday at the First Lutheran Church, 1300 E. Colorado St., Glendale.

Interment will be private.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to Glendale Kiwanis Youth Inc., 3920 Oak Grove Court, Glendale. gnp.inslee.03-CPhotoInfoF11QIAHD20060503iynuzmnc(LA)Robert R. Inslee