Posted by Lompoc Record on October 27, 2011:

E.J. O'Brien, 79, of Vandenberg Village, died on January 17 after a valiant battle against cancer. He was raised in Oklahoma and educated at West Point and Northwestern University, where he met his wife of 55 years, Doris Schaffer O'Brien. After serving in the Army and Air Force, Mr. O'Brien became a pioneer in the fledgling computer industry, marketing innovative technology systems to business and education. Before retiring to the Central Coast, E.J. was active in the civic and political life of Orange County, serving as a Newport Beach Planning Commissioner and a board member of the Back Bay Water District. For his lifetime work and devotion to the Boy Scouts of America, E.J. was awarded Scouting's highest honor, the Silver Beaver. He was also an AYSO soccer coach, private pilot, and skilled photographer. People always commented on his deep, distinctive "announcer's voice." EJ began RV-ing with his family in the early '70's, rebuilding vintage motorhomes and ultimately traveling over 350,000 miles across the United States, Canada and Mexico. He and his wife also journeyed on their own to many countries around the world. Above all, he was an avid angler, who never tired of fishing the waters of Alaska, the Pacific Northwest, the Sierras, and the Sea of Cortez. EJ is survived by his wife, three children: Regina (Hardy) Wronske, Brandon (Marisa) and Shauna; two young grandsons, Barrett and Taylor O'Brien of Portland; his sister, Noma Russell, and husband, Boyce, of Albuquerque; his brother-in-law and wife, Howard and Teresita Schaffer of Washington, D.C., and many other extended family members. A brunch in celebration of E.J.'s life was held at the Endless Summer café in Santa Barbara on January 29, after which his ashes were scattered at sea.

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