Robert and Adrienne Westerbeck
The story of Robert Westerbeck and his wife, Adrienne, is rooted in the PCC tradition of a fervent belief in education as the way to realize the American Dream. Westerbeck, who died in 2006, often credited his success to the education he received at PCC. Adrienne, who died in 2010 at the age of 103, taught organ and piano at PCC until her retirement in 1971.
For both, PCC was part of a lifetime of service to their community.
After Westerbeck graduated from PJC, he worked for Lockheed Aircraft in Burbank and later for Perkin-Elmer Corporation, another engineering firm then located in Pasadena. Westerbeck was a very tall, distinguished and friendly man with many interests. He played varsity basketball while at PJC and excelled in nearly every sport he attempted, including archery, golf, and cycling. His interests also included music, which led him to meet the love of his life, Adrienne.
In addition to teaching music at PCC, Adrienne gave private piano and organ lessons at Waltrip’s Music Company in Altadena and from her home. Westerbeck met Adrienne when he first took lessons from her, leading to a lifelong romance. The two were married for nearly 50 years until Bob’s passing in 2006.
Adrienne attended the University of Southern California and received bachelor’s and master’s degrees in music, as well as a master’s degree in education. After Westerbeck’s passing, Adrienne continued to play the organ on Sundays and Wednesdays at the Christian Science Church in Los Feliz. She passed away on April 3, 2010, just shy of her 104th birthday.
Impact
Greetings everyone! The Robert Westerbeck scholarship will allow me to future my educational goals , and career goals for the future. Specifically, the scholarship will allow me the opportunity to focus exclusively on my studies in my chosen career path of Social Welfare, and Law. The award has allowed my confidence and persistent nature to soar to new levels in education. Also, it will give me the opportunity to purchase books for the Spring 2015 semester ahead of the first class meeting , thereby giving me the chance to excel in my chosen courses for the semester. Most importantly, the scholarship award/monies serves as proof that hard work and determination will and can be awarded.
—Fall 2014 Recipient, Deborah Evans
The Robert Westerbeck scholarship is allowing me to finally complete my studies at Pasadena City College. I have only a Calculus and Organic Chemistry course left to complete before transferring. This scholarship is allowing me to take the Calculus course over the winter (6-weeks) with very minimal work hours required. This means I will be able to focus on Organic Chemistry over the Spring and work more hours to take care of my family. Thank you very much for your help!
—Fall 2019 Recipient, Selina Pacheo
The Robert Westerbeck Scholarship has afforded me the opportunity to continue living my dream of graduating from Pasadena City College, and transfering to Cal Poly Pomona. It has been a very long and hard struggle as an independent student, but I am grateful for generous donors like Robert Westerbeck who care for the education and well-being of individuals who want more out of life, and who aim to be successful. Often times there are limited resources that are available for aging youth, but I cannot begin to describe what this help means to me and my education.
—Fall 2014 Recipient, Cindy Miranda