Robert “Bob” Dunne was born August 12, 1927 in San Francisco and died peacefully at home on September 14, 2006. Bob was a Merchant Marine veteran of World War II with both Atlantic War Zone bars and Pacific War Zone bars including supply trips up the Yangtze River in China. He leaves Mary, his loving wife and best friend for 58 years and four children, Cary (Darlene) Dunne, Dennis Dunne, Catherine Dunne and Linda (Steve) Cresci. His constant care and encourgement will forever touch the lives of his nine grandchildren. He is also survived by his sister Dolly (Bob) Johnson, and sisters-in-law Doris Dunne, Martha Shaul and brother-in-law Frank Shaul, as well as many cousins, nieces, nephews and “Daisy.”
He is preceded in death by his brother Bill.
Bob was a 60 year member of Carpenters Local 22. After working as a licensed building contractor for a time, he became a Building Inspector for San Francisco retiring after 27 years as Chief Building Inspector. He then spent 3 years in Saudi Arabia as a Contract Manager for Bechtel. He taught Carpentry Apprenticeship classes for several years, as well as attending night college classes, earning a Bachelor”s of Vocational Education from San Francisco State University in 1974, and a Master”s in Public Administration from Golden Gate University in 1977.
Bob lived his life with great love and enthusiasm. He was a devoted father, coaching many kids” baseball teams, taking his family camping, boating and traveling. Bob had a great love for motor boating, both in the Bay and on area lakes. He also had an interest in cars and was restoring a 1929 Austin Bantam. After his retirement, he and Mary continued a very active journey traveling and sailing throughout Europe and Asia, and crossing the United States several times with their trailer. In 1983 they bought a sailboat in England and retraced the 40th Anniversary of the D-Day sites in Europe, and then the Spanish coast, Italy, Greece and Turkey for the next several years. They spent another 9 years sailing “Catspaw” on the San Francisco bay.
Bob lived life to the fullest and fought a long and difficult battle with cancer. His love for Mary and his family gave him an incredible will to live. He will be missed by all who knew him. He was an inspiration to some, a teacher to many, and a friend to all, especially his wife, daughters, sons and many grandchildren.
Our family is very blessed to have his spirit with us.
A celebration of his life will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 23, 2006 at Chapel of the Lakes Mortuary, 1625 High St., Lakeport.
Family prefers donations be made to Hospice of Lake County, 1717 S. Main St., Lakeport, CA 95453.
For further information call Chapel of the Lakes at 263-0357 or 994-5611 or www.chapelofthelakes.com
Please sign the guestbook at www.record-bee.com, click on obituaries.
(Published in the Lake County Record-Bee on Wednesday September 20,2006
