It is with deep sorrow and immense love that we mourn the passing of Reuben Paul Vollmer, a beloved husband, father, grandfather, and veteran, who left us peacefully on January 19, 2024, at the age of 88.

Born in 1935 in the rural landscapes of Minnesota, Reuben's early years on a farm instilled in him a strong work ethic and a love for the outdoors. His journey took a significant turn when he proudly served in the United States Air Force, a period that shaped much of his life's direction. After the Air Force, he applied his sharp mind and unwavering determination to his studies, earning an engineering degree at the Milwaukee School of Engineering and graduating in 1961.

After graduating, he drove to Southern California with his beloved wife Rose and his children, Mark and Renee. Reuben embarked on a new chapter in Vandenburg; his first job was testing B-52 wings for the Air Force. Mechanics Research Inc. brought him to Los Angeles, where he busied himself being a globe-trotting Mechanical Engineer and where he learned about Failure Analysis for car designs and started to set his sights on that profession.

In 1974 he began his entrepreneurial journey with the establishment of Vollmer Engineering. Reuben combined his passion for engineering and his keen analytical skills in vehicle accident investigation, creating a legacy of divining truth from fiction, with the use of science and engineering in the courtroom as an expert witness with the highest level of integrity.

Reuben's life was not just one of professional achievements. He was a man of many passions - he found that he had a passion for competition, enjoying sailing after taking classes in 1972 in Redondo Beach harbor. In the years that followed, Reuben and his crew were often victorious including Transpac, PHRF and Puerto Villarta races. He also loved skiing, Porsches, cycling, and running on the beach - he loved going fast and kicking butt!

In addition to his professional and outdoor pursuits, Reuben, along with his second wife, Shari, had an unparalleled passion for cooking, a hobby that brought immense joy not only to him but also to those around him. A master of the culinary arts, Reuben was particularly renowned for his exceptional skills in barbecuing and cooking over a wood fire. His hand-tossed pizzas, rich in toppings and bursting with flavors, were more than just a culinary delight at his much-anticipated pizza-making parties. These gatherings, filled with the aroma of freshly baked pizzas, the sizzle of barbecued meats, the freshness of caught lobster, and the warmth of shared wine, were cherished events among family and friends. Reuben's kitchen was a place of warmth and creativity, where flavors, laughter, music and stories about his sailing adventures mingled in the air, creating memories that will forever hold a special place in the hearts of those who were lucky enough to experience them.

After Shari passed away in 2001, Reuben began a new chapter in his life when he met Tammy in 2003. Tammy, a spirited soul, was an avid sailboat racer whose zest for life echoed Reuben's own. Celebrations with family and friends continued throughout their marriage. Together, they embarked on a wild ride of shared passions and new adventures, exploring the world with renewed vigor and an unquenchable thirst for the wonders that lay just over the horizon. He had a 15 year marriage with her before they parted ways.

He was cherished by his family and is survived by his son Mark Vollmer (spouse Patti), his daughter Renee Lombardi (spouse Ron), grandchildren Reuben Vollmer II, Nicole Torres, Steven Gregory, and Samantha Vetter, and great grandchildren Benny and Emily Torres, Dean Gregory, and Penelope and Maddison Vetter.

Reuben's life was a combination of hard work, dedication, love, and adventure. His legacy will continue to inspire those who knew him, and his stories will be told for generations to come. As we bid farewell, we take comfort in knowing that his journey continues beyond the horizon into a peaceful sunset.