10/30/2026
⭐ Santee Hometown Hero Spotlight ⭐ 🇺🇸
Every banner along Mast Boulevard represents a story of service, sacrifice, and patriotism. Through our Santee Hometown Hero Spotlight series, we’re proud to continue sharing the stories of the veterans and active-duty service members honored through the Santee Hometown Heroes Banner Program.
Robert J Triplett | Navy | SN (E-3) | 1958-1961
Robert was born in the beautiful town of Coeur d' Alene, Idaho in 1940, he was the oldest of 10 kids. He played football in High School and was once chased by a grizzly bear when he was a young boy. He joined the Navy and was stationed in San Diego, CA where he met his lovely wife Monika, they wed in 1960 in Pacific Beach, CA. Bob and Monika had 2 children Mark Triplett & Cheryl Triplett Alexander. They both loved the weather in San Diego and settled in Santee in 1967. Bob belonged to the San Diego Boat & Ski Club and was a great water skier, jumper & trick skier. He enjoyed scuba diving, playing softball and liked golfing. He was a great athlete in his younger years. He loved to travel to Europe to visit Monika's family, and he loved reading and history. Bob worked at Caltrans in Construction and as a Civil Engineer for 38 years. His banner is located under a speed check meter, driving east on Mast Boulevard before the Santee Veteran Memorial bridge which we feel is a perfect place for him because one of his duties at Caltrans was to do speed limit surveys with a radar. So, when you see your speed being checked remember our Navy Veteran retired Caltrans worker Robert Triplett. He went to college at Grossmont and later San Diego State. Bob, also known by the scouts as Mr. T., volunteered with the Boy Scouts of America - Troop347, helping many boys learn about survival skills and helped his son and two grandsons become Eagle Scouts. Bob passed away in 2023 with a long bout of cancer. His final resting place is at the beautiful military grounds of Miramar. He is survived by his wife, 2 children, 7 grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren, 3 brothers, 3 sisters, 5 sister in-laws and many cousins, nieces and nephews. Bob was a good person, and he will be our Santee Hometown Hero forever. Submitted by Daughter: Cheryl Alexander.
Want to learn more about our Hometown Heroes Banner Program - https://bit.ly/3RK49vM
