Robert West

Robert West was born in Mississippi in 1895. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy during World War I. He served as a Carpenters Mate 1stClass from1917 to 1922. After he was discharged from the Navy, he remained in San Diego. According to his San Diego Union obituary from August 6, 1981, he started the Robert R. West Building Co. that same year (1922) and built homes in San Diego for the next 40 years. He is buried at Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery with his first wife, Clara L. West.

In the 1940 Census, Robert R. West was listed as married with 3 sons ranging in ages from15 to 8 years old.

Robert West built Spanish Eclectic, Hacienda and Minimal Traditional homes during his career. He built 16 homes within the Talmadge Park Estates Historic District (TPEHD). He built one of his Haciendas at 4770 Norma Drive. He appears to be one of the handful of builders who were inspired by Master Architect Cliff May’s first California Ranch style home built within the TPEHD.

Robert R. West is also a featured builder in our Talmadge Park Estates Homebuilders Guide from 1940.

West has houses featured in other historic districts within San Diego. One is the North Park Dryden Historic District, and the other is the Islenair Historic District in City Heights.

It appears West went into business with his sons later in his career (Robert R. West & Sons) and then retired in the early 1970s.

West’s first wife, Clara, died in 1961 and he remarried in 1963 to Gloria M. Merkle. Sadly, West was widowed again in 1967.

Like many builders of his time, he ended his career in La Mesa. He died at the age of 86. His obituary stated he was a Mason, a San Diego York Rite Bodies of Freemasons, a Shriner and a member the Al Bahr Temple. These are all global fraternal organizations based on the principles of truth, fellowship, and brotherly love.