Robert Graulich, 84, of Trabuco Canyon, California, passed away peacefully, surrounded by family, on February 14, 2026. Robert was born in Brooklyn, New York, on May 15, 1941 and grew up in Long Island, before heading to the University of Pennsylvania, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in economics. Penn was also where he nurtured a lifelong love of music by performing with the university’s glee club, as well as an a cappella group, the Penn Pipers.

 

Shortly after graduating, Robert joined the Peace Corps and served for nearly three years in Malawi, Africa, a transformative experience that would profoundly shape his life and foster a passion for helping others. It’s also where he would meet the first love of his life, Anthonetta “Nettie” Graulich. He and Nettie were married in Malawi and returned to the United States together, settling in Washington, D.C., where Robert continued to serve in the Peace Corps’ leadership and where their sons Richard and Ian were born.

 

Following his Peace Corps service, Robert had several varied and fulfilling career experiences, from congressional aide to small business owner to spokesman for a renewable energy company. His work took him from Washington to California to Connecticut, where he would later meet the second love of his life, Scotland “Scotty” King. Their wedding would be memorable by both date and location – 01-01-01 in the Virgin Islands while cruising on a historic schooner.

 

In retirement, Robert and Scotty enjoyed living in both Jupiter, Florida, and Trabuco Canyon, California, where they could be actively involved in the lives of their children and grandchildren. Robert pursued many interests throughout life that continued in retirement, including ongoing advocacy on behalf of a number of organizations, such as the Peace Corps and Malawi Children’s Village orphanage. His lifelong love of music led him to become the founding board chair and a passionate supporter of the Lyric Opera of Orange County. 

 

Scotty survives him, as do his sons, Richard (Heather) Graulich, Ian (Laurie) Graulich, stepson Graham (Sarah Tobie) Warner, stepdaughter Jocelyn (Kelley) Lowery and grandchildren Colin, Evan, Kaitlyn, Kristen, Sage and Kent, sister Libby (Charles) Sterbakov, sister-in-law Sue Graulich, nephew Kevin Sterbakov,nieces Julie (Chris) Ward, Halle (Matt) Ford and Sandra (Everette) Middleton, and several grandnieces and grandnephews. He was predeceased by his parents and his brother, Kenneth Graulich. He will be deeply missed by his family and numerous dear friends. 

 

A memorial service will be announced for a future date, and a private burial will take place at St. John’s Episcopal Church of Rancho Santa Margarita, California. In lieu of flowers, donations in Robert’s memory can be made to the Lyric Opera of Orange County, California.