Robert Andrew Kaufman

Robert 'Bob' Andrew Kaufman was born September 9, 1942 in Long Beach, CA. and went to be with the Lord on December 31, 2014 in Temecula, CA. He was 72. He grew up in Lindsay, CA as the only child of LaVerne and Robert Judson Kaufman. He relocated from Lindsay to Southern California and joined Los Angeles County Fire Department in 1968. He trained as a paramedic and is honored to have been among the original graduates forming the first paramedic units in history. Bob was elected President of California Rescue Paramedic Association (CRPA) and served for 5 years. He resigned his CRPA position when he was elected to serve as state Commissioner for the Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Commission in Sacramento, CA. He served as Commissioner for 12 years preceding his retirement. During his service with CRPA and as state Commissioner, he worked tirelessly to improve the quality of California paramedic services and was instrumental in enacting key legislation working side by side with the California Senate. He shared his passion for his profession by teaching new EMT students at Los Angeles Harbor College. The successful paramedic system in service today is, in many ways, a direct result of his dedication to his profession for so many years. Bob met and married the love of his life, Kuna, on January 30, 1983. They lived in California's South Bay, eventually moving to Temecula where he enjoyed his retirement and hobbies. From childhood, he loved air planes and space crafts. He built and flew varied sizes of remote control aircraft throughout his life. He was an amateur photographer and developed a love of horses watching his wife compete in various equestrian events. He always loved the water and enjoyed swimming in the ocean and water skiing on California's many lakes. Bob is survived by his wife, Kuna Kaufman; his three children Andrea Denise Gaslan, Robert 'Jeff' Kaufman, and Kristen Legere; and his six grandchildren: Danika, Jordan, Hannah, Tyler, Zach, and Addie. He was preceded in death by his parents LaVerne (Christian) Kaufman in 2009, and Robert Judson Kaufman in 1980. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, son, son-in-law, cousin, and a trusted, loyal friend. He will always be remembered for his kind heart and generous nature. He is loved, honored, and missed by all who knew him. A celebration of Bob's life will be held at England Family Chapel on Wednesday, December 7, 2015 at 2:00pm.