Robert P. Wagner

Celebrating the life of a Legend-Robert Peter Wagner

Robert Peter Wagner was born on April 29, 1921 in Fullerton, California, the first son of Nicholas & Elizabeth Jacques Wagner. Katie, Mary, Louise and Dick joined the family shortly thereafter.

His early years of education were in Van Nuys, California before returning to Anaheim, California to attend St. Catherine’s Military Academy where he played football while he was also taking piano lessons. He returned to Los Angeles in 1939 to enroll in Loyola High School where he also played freshman football, but was then encouraged to accept the offer of the music director to learn the saxophone.

On to Loyola University where his musical skills with the saxophone enabled him to march in the college band, and eventually be offered a scholarship to complete his education receiving a Bachelor of Science Degree in Chemistry in 1943.

A chemist was in high demand in support of the war effort, and Robert was hired by Pioneer Flintkote as a laboratory chemist. A veteran of World War II, he served on the USS Topeka until 1946.

By this time, Nicholas and Elizabeth Wagner had sold their property in the Van Nuys area relocating to Newport Beach, California.   This set the stage for meeting the love of his life, and his wife of 59 years Beatrice Mae Everett whose parents Earl and Beth Everett resided on Balboa Island. Robert and Bea were married on May 1, 1948. Their first son, Mark Alan Wagner was born at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Orange in 1949, followed by Craig Robert Wagner in 1951, and Kristin Elizabeth Hasting in 1960.

Deciding to further develop the skills he gained in the Navy as a radio technician, Robert choose to attend Don Martin School of Radio Arts which led him into the entertainment industry as a radio announcer for stations in Banning, Corona, and Chico, California from 1947-1951 when he decided to return to Los Angeles taking a 50 percent pay reduction to pursue a career in television working as a sound engineer for over 35 years with CBS.

Robert Wagner’s love and passion for the industry enabled him to receive many honors and Emmy Awards from the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences for work he performed on the Danny Kaye Show, All in the Family, a Salute to James Cagney, and The Young and The Restless. In addition to working with the likes of Frank Sinatra, Burns and Allen, Red Skelton, Jack Benny, Judy Garland, and

Carol Burnett, he enjoyed time spent with future President Ronald Reagan on the weekly television drama series “The General Electric Theater.”

“Grandpa Bob” cherished his six grand children: Saundi, Mark Everett, Rob, Alisha, Keith, and Kelly, and his three great grandchildren: Scarlett, Graham, and Camden. A warrior to the very end, he made it to the top, and now he is resting in peace. God Bless. 

In lieu of flowers, the family suggest donations in Robert's name to:  Habitat for Humanity, Loyola High School and Loyola Marymount University

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