Heather Locklear lost her father, William Robert Locklear, at the start of June after months of hospitalization, and the actress has remained in mourning since. She recently posted a heartfelt tribute to her Instagram, noting that Robert was the most brilliant man she ever knew.
The actress accompanied the note with a photo of Robert wearing a baseball hat that read, “Marines, the few, the proud,” as he smiled at an up-close camera. Fans joined Heather to pay their respects and offered the aggrieved film star support during her trying time.
Fans react to Heather Locklear’s tribute
Heather’s comments were filled with encouragement and memories of Robert, who worked at the University of California for about three decades. A few who have been privy to Robert stated what they would miss about him, including heavy metal singer Tommy Lee who named his “beautiful spirit,” while TV personality and sports commentator Jillian Barberie mentioned “bringing him flowers and rubbing his feet.”
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Many acknowledged that Robert was a present and involved dad to Heather, while also being a delight to many who encountered him. Hundreds of comments assured Heather that her late father remains with her, as they shared their related experiences to sympathize with her.
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Robert lived an exceptional life with experience in the US Marine in the early ‘50s, after which he met Heather’s mother Diane and married her. Robert had four children during his 68-year marriage to Diane, whose 90th birthday she celebrated last year with an exciting social media post.
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With a Bachelor’s degree in history and a Ph.D. to his name, Robert spent most of his later years as an academic, holding positions such as assistant dean of foreign affairs, and acting director of the placement and career planning center at the University of California. He eventually retired to a life of travel, golf, baseball, drinking scotch, and serving as an usher at the United Methodist Church of Westlake Village.