Robert Stephen McHale, died in Riverside on his 84th birthday. He was born in Eugene, Oregon; the fourth born of the eight children of Alta and Richard McHale. He moved with his family to Riverside in 1928 where he attended St. Francis De Sales Catholic School, Central Junior High and Poly High. He joined the CCC while in his teens and then, just before the Pearl Harbor attack, he enlisted in the United States Marines at age eighteen. He was badly wounded while storming Enewitok atoll with the 22nd Marine Regiment in 1944 where a "crabby Japanese handed me an exploding hand grenade." He recuperated in Oahu and California. As the war ended, he was sent to China where he was NCOIC, and ranking Marine, at a huge munitions dump at Tsin Ho where the Communist Chinese became very active in many failed attempts-thanks to Bob, to take the arsenal. Returning to Riverside in '47, he joined the Riverside police department. He was recalled by the Marines at the start of the Korean War; after which he returned to Riverside and the police department where he rose to the rank of lieutenant; he joined the California State Police in 1957 retiring at the rank of assistant chief in 1980. Bob married Irene Hood on 1 October 1949, they had no children. He was an avid reader becoming well versed in many subjects and was a scholarly authority of our Civil War and WWII. His brother Richard died an infant, his brother Col. Joseph McHale died in '02 and his sister Katherine Huber died in '06. He is survived by Irene, his wife of 58 years; sisters Charlotte Montgomery of Calimesa and Nancy Hovanec of Hemet; brothers Gerald of Modesto and Richard of Riverside; sisters-in-law Orpha, Therese and Delores; many nephews, nieces, and friends. It is a lucky man to have been held in such high esteem by his family and friends. There will be a graveside ceremony held on Friday, May 11, 9:30am at Riverside National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to Goeske Senior Center. Arrangements are under the direction of Acheson & Graham Garden Of Prayer Mortuary (951) 688-1221