Cal Poly professor emeritus, dairy farmer
Longtime Claremont resident Theodore Leroy “Roy” Lieb died at the age of 87 on March 7, 2008 at Kaiser Permanente Hospital in Fontana, surrounded by his family.
Born in Santa Ana on January 19, 1921, Mr. Lieb grew up working on his father’s dairy farm in Corona. While laboring on the farm, he lettered in 4 varsity sports at Corona High School.
Mr. Lieb began studies at California Polytechnic University, San Luis Obispo, where he was the quarterback of the football team and served as student body vice president. His academics were interrupted by World War II, during which he served in the navy, eventually being discharged as a lieutenant, junior grade. After the war, he completed his degree at Cal Poly, became married to Dorothy and returned to the dairy in Corona.
After selling the dairy, Mr. Lieb accepted a position at California State University, Pomona where he taught agronomy and worked as the ranch manger. In 1969, he was voted Teacher of the Year and, in 1980, he retired as professor emeritus.
Mr. Lieb was a member of the San Dimas Masonic Lodge No. 428 and a member of Pilgrim Congregational Church in Pomona. It was in 1955 that he and his family moved to Pomona, and he and his wife relocated to Claremont in the 80s.
According to Mr. Lieb’s family, he was a warm, humorous man and a true gentleman.
“He will be missed by all who knew and loved him,” his family wrote in a remembrance.
Mr. Lieb is survived by his wife of 61 years, Dorothy Lieb of Claremont; by his sons and daughters-in-law, Donald and Sue Lieb of Kansas and Dennis and Jeannie Lieb of Massachusetts; by his daughter and son-in-law, Sandi and Patrick Delaney of Placerville; by his sister, Barbara Jean Freschauf of Riverside; and by his 6 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren. Two more great-grandchildren will join the family soon. He was predeceased by his brother, Vernon Oscar Lieb.
Services were held yesterday, March 14, 2008, in the Church of Our Heritage at Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Covina.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Cal Poly Agricultural School Scholarship Fund, c/o Daniel Hostetler, Plant Science Department, 3801 W. Temple, Pomona, CA 91768; or to the Pomona Valley Hospital Auxiliary, Sick Baby Fund, 1798 N. Garey Ave., Pomona, CA 91767.
