Bob O’Donnell has served on the Menifee Union School District board for over 40 years. (Photo by Katja Zimmer)
Guided by the motto “service above self,” Bob O’Donnell has spent more than 50 years serving the Menifee and Sun City communities through public service, education, and volunteer work.
Long before O’Donnell became a familiar face in Menifee’s schools and community organizations, he learned the value of service during his time in the U.S. Air Force in the 1960s. O’Donnell completed his service at his final duty station at what is now known as March Air Reserve Base before enrolling at Riverside City College.
During that period, O’Donnell became a father and applied to be a carrier at the U.S. Postal Service in 1971, a decision inspired by his family’s history of working at the post office, including his grandfather, father, and brother.
O’Donnell’s routes stretched across Romoland, Quail Valley, Canyon Lake, and Sun City.
“At that time, Sun City had about 6,500 people,” he recalled.
By 1973, O’Donnell and his growing family purchased a home in Menifee, where they still live today. That same year, he transitioned from mail delivery to clerk. O’Donnell noticed an opportunity for growth and took an assistant postmaster position. Years later, when a vacancy opened for the postmaster position, O’Donnell applied and was appointed the postmaster of the Sun City Post Office in 1980.
During his time as postmaster, O’Donnell was elected to the Menifee Union School District (MUSD) Board.
“We only had 20 teachers and 365 students at that time,” O’Donnell said, a stark difference from the more than 12,000 enrolled in the district today.
O’Donnell retired as a postmaster after 32 years of service, but even in retirement, he maintains a busy calendar.
He continues to serve on the Menifee Union School District Board over 40 years after he was first elected; volunteers with the Menifee Police Department; works as a docent at the Menifee History Museum; and supports patients as a hospice companion.
“I was already doing some volunteer work, so I knew that when I retired, I wasn’t going to have a problem transitioning into retirement, and that’s what I’ve done,” O’Donnell said. “I haven’t skipped a beat. I just love being out in the community.”
While serving on the MUSD Board, O’Donnell has seen tremendous growth in both the number of schools that have opened and the district’s curriculum, which includes special education classes and programs.
Aside from the board’s monthly meetings, O’Donnell visits schools frequently and attends events to stay connected to students and teachers.
“The students are our foundation for our future,” he said. “I think it’s important for me to be involved, not just at a school board meeting, but I want to be out seeing what’s happening at the ground level.”
This past December, O’Donnell and other board members traveled to Sacramento to receive an award for the district’s Attendance and Reengagement Initiative.
“Our staff has worked so hard to ensure students are at our schools each day so they can feel connected to the school,” O’Donnell said.
In his time as a board member, MUSD has received many accolades, including having a low chronic absenteeism rate, being named a 2025 ERP Honor Roll District, earning the Model SARB Recognition Award, and much more.
In 2016, the MUSD honored O’Donnell by naming its education office on Haun Road the Bob O’Donnell Education Center.
“I still can’t believe it,” he said. “When my children come to visit, they say, ‘Dad, you have a building named after you,’ and I say, ‘Yeah, pinch me!’”
When O’Donnell isn’t visiting schools or attending meetings, he’s volunteering with the local police department. He attends monthly trainings, events, and is an active participant in the YANA (You Are Not Alone) Program.
“I have three individuals that I call every week for welfare checks,” O’Donnell said.
He also serves as a hospice companion, visiting patients weekly — volunteer work he has been doing for over 20 years. O’Donnell was initially inspired to volunteer with patients after watching his mother-in-law on hospice many years ago.
O’Donnell shares his time with two patients, aged 96 and 89, and said he’s learned so much about life and history through his volunteer work.
“It’s very rewarding to be able to do this work and I’m very happy that I can do it,” he said.
Entering his 53rd year in Menifee, O’Donnell also serves as a docent at the Menifee History Museum.
Despite his community service and countless accomplishments, O’Donnell said nothing compares to his family.
“The greatest honor that I have is being married to my wife, Alice,” he said.
O’Donnell said he is living the dream and serving with purpose.
Bob O’Donnell showed a sheet of Elvis Presley stamps from his collection of Post Office memorabilia. (Photo by Katja Zimmer)
Bob poses in front of the Menifee Union School District Center, which bears his name. (Photo by Katja Zimmer)
