Community Corner
Six Questions for a San Marino Local
This week I spoke with Bob French, an active member of the San Marino community.
Bob French is a well-known face in the San Marino community.
For the past nine years, he and his wife have been involved in their daughters' extracurricular activities and school-related functions.
“I have been involved in as much after school activities as I can,” said French, whose wife Diane Comi French grew up in San Marino.
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French, who grew up in North Dakota before moving to Arizona for university, has tried to give back to his community. Whether it is helping design backdrops for plays at the middle school or coaching softball, he does his best to step in where needed.
With a background in aeronautical engineering, he spends many evenings mentoring ’s first robotics team and lectures at UCLA from time to time. French is also building the set for the middle school musical and serves as assistant coach on the San Marino National Little League team.
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“I enjoy things that involve the family,” said French, a five-year member of the Pasadena Tournament of Roses.
Each week I get to know a San Marino local, here is what Bob had to say.
What do you like most about San Marino?
The small town community. I grew up in a town with about 5,000 people; San Marino has about 13,000 people and it doesn’t feel like greater L.A. It feels like a tight knit community. Small town Americana.
What is your favorite restaurant in San Marino?
, and .
What is your favorite place in San Marino to take a stroll or go for a run?
I like Lacy Park, it is the jewel in the middle of the community.
What is a little known fact about you?
I grew up on a farm 10 miles from the nearest town. Our nearest neighbors were about a mile away. I grew up on 1200 acres of farmland. It was a great way to grow up.
What is your favorite ice cream flavor?
Butter Pecan without a doubt.
Why do you think it is so important to be involved in the community?
If you don’t give back to your community then the community just flounders. You can’t just live in a community and take; you have to have some way of giving back.
