Robert Castro

Robert Castro, 85, of Garden Grove, California, passed away peacefully at home on August 17, 2025, surrounded by his loving family.

Born in Los Angeles on July 2, 1940, Robert was the son of Peter and Carmen Castro and one of five siblings. He graduated from Roosevelt High School in 1957 as class president and a proud member of the football team. He went on to earn a scholarship to Antioch College in Ohio before transferring to UCLA, where he completed his BS in Mathematics with Honors in 1961 and his MS in Mathematics in 1964. He was a member of ROTC at UCLA during the Vietnam War.

Robert began his distinguished career as a Statistician at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, contributing to early space exploration efforts. He went on to hold key positions at AC Electronics, Logicon, SAIC, Rand Corporation, and The Aerospace Corporation, where he worked as a Senior Aerospace Engineer until his retirement in 2005. Throughout his career, Robert was a leading expert in the guidance and control of satellites and missiles, including groundbreaking work on the GPS system and unmanned space probes to the Moon and Mars.

As a Policy Analyst at the Rand Corporation and later as an Intelligence Analyst in Washington, DC, Robert brought a sharp analytical mind and deep sense of civic duty to every role he held. He also served as an educator, teaching mathematics, statistics, and probability at East LA community colleges, with a mission to uplift and mentor underrepresented students.

Robert was a true trailblazer in his family, being the second to attend college and graduate school. He took pride in helping his parents buy their first home and inspired his younger sister to pursue higher education.

Robert met the love of his life, Mildred “Midge” Castro, in 1967. They married in 1969 and celebrated their 55th wedding anniversary this past November. Together, they raised three children: Jennifer, Sheri, and Brian, and were blessed with five beloved grandsons.

Robert is survived by his wife Midge; children Jennifer Yahner, Sheri Atwater (Ben), and Brian Castro (Joy); grandchildren Patrick, Trevor, Jared, Jeremy, and Jacob; his sister Vickie Castro; brother David Castro (Susan); sister-in-law Bea Castro; and a large extended family of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends who loved and admired him deeply.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Peter and Carmen Castro; and his brothers Tony Castro (Irene) and George Castro.

A virtual “Celebration of Life” will be held on Sunday, November 2, 2025. Final arrangements are under the care of Forest Lawn, Cypress, California. In lieu of flowers or gifts, please keep his wife and family in your thoughts.

Robert Castro lived a life marked by intellect, integrity, compassion, and devotion to his family, friends, and community. His legacy will endure in the lives of all those he guided, taught, and loved.