HONOLULU – Bob Fernandez, a centenarian and a witness to the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, passed away shortly after health issues prevented him from attending the recent ceremony honoring the 83rd anniversary of the assault. He died peacefully on Wednesday in Lodi, California, at the home of his nephew Joe Guthrie. Halie Torrrell, Guthrie’s daughter, was present and holding his hand during his final moments. After suffering a stroke about a month prior, Fernandez’s health declined, though doctors indicated that age was the main factor affecting him.
At the time of the fateful attack on December 7, 1941, 17-year-old Fernandez was serving as a sailor on the USS Curtiss. He recollected that while he was working as a mess cook, serving food and coffee to other sailors, a sudden alarm sounded. Peering out of a porthole, he spotted a plane adorned with the distinctive red ball insignia known to mark Japanese aircraft. In a flurry of activity, he raced down several decks to reach the magazine room, where he and his fellow sailors awaited access to shells that were secured behind a locked door. Recalling the atmosphere, Fernandez shared that many of his comrades were in distress, praying and crying amid the chaos above them. “I felt kind of scared because I didn’t know what the hell was going on,” he expressed in a conversation shortly before his passing.
The USS Curtiss faced considerable turmoil during the bombing, suffering the loss of 21 crew members and nearly 60 injured. Overall, the attack claimed over 2,300 U.S. servicemen’s lives, with almost half being sailors and Marines stationed on the USS Arizona, which ultimately sank during the confrontation. Reflecting on the scale of the tragedy, Fernandez stated, “We lost a lot of good people, you know. They didn’t do nothing. But we never know what’s going to happen in a war.”
Fernandez had initially planned to revisit Pearl Harbor for the recent commemoration, which is organized annually by the Navy and the National Park Service. However, health issues made the trip impossible. According to Guthrie, Fernandez radiated pride in his six years of naval service, nearly all of which was dedicated to the USS Curtiss, often donning casual wear that showcased his military affiliation.
In the years following the war, Fernandez found work as a forklift driver at a cannery in San Leandro, California. He was married to his wife Mary for 65 years until her passing in 2014. Known for his love of music and dancing, he frequently attended local performances until recently. Even after moving in with Guthrie last year, he actively assisted neighbors in their gardens.
Guthrie described their time together, noting how they engaged in yard work as a form of physical activity. “I’d do yard work and split firewood and he’d swing the axe a little bit,” he shared. “We’d call it his physical therapy.” Fernandez often offered prudent tips for longevity, underscoring the importance of listening to one’s body and staying active. Among his advice were simple acts of kindness, which he believed were vital for a fulfilling life.
Guthrie emphasized that Fernandez wanted to be remembered for his generosity and the joy he brought to those around him. “He would rake people’s yards if they couldn’t do it. He would paint a fence. He would help somebody,” he recounted. “He was so generous and such a kind person. He made friends everywhere.”
Fernandez leaves behind his eldest son, Robert J. Fernandez, a granddaughter, and several great-grandchildren. According to Kathleen Farley, chair of the California chapter of the Sons and Daughters of Pearl Harbor Survivors, only 16 Pearl Harbor survivors are known to be alive today, all of whom are at least a century old. Although Fernandez’s death suggests the number would decrease to 15, Farley has recently discovered that another survivor remains.