Robert B. Kavale  MBA ’65 entered into rest on May 17, 2012, at the Tracy Convalescent and Rehabilitation Center. He died of pneumonia following a long battle with Parkinson’s disease. He was born in the Czech Republic on January 11, 1926, to Josef and Ludmila Kavale. Known for his quick wit and good sense of humor, he will be sorely missed by friends and family.

Mr. Kavale, a resident of Manteca for four and one-half years and former resident of Saratoga, worked in Silicon Valley for more than 30 years in the industrial engineering field. A registered professional engineer and recipient of master’s degrees from two California universities, including the Santa Clara University, he helped companies to reduce waste, cut costs, and improve productivity. Among other engineering responsibilities, he designed production facilities, wrote design guidelines, and developed processes and standards.

He is survived by his loving wife of 52 years, Jean Kavale, two brothers and their spouses, Josef and Libuse Kavale and Karel and Kerstin Kavale, and several nephews and nieces. He was preceded in death by his infant son, David Joseph Kavale.