Robert G. Sherbeck passed away quietly on March 28, 2007 at home with his family. He was born in Havre, Mont., May 5, 1917 to Olaf and Eva Sherbeck. Attending Oakland public schools and graduating from Fremont High, he studied radio theory and communications by telegraph at Central Trade School. He obtained an amateur radio license and a commercial radiotelegraph license around 1936. Amateur radio became a lifelong hobby, along with assembly of his own receivers and transmitters in the early days.
He served in the U.S. Army signal corps during World War II and was stationed in Italy.
In 1937 he began work for Pan Am in the radio department, working on the ground stations. He served on one of the last remaining sailing ships, the Trade Wind, in July and August of 1939 as a radio operator.
In later years he went to sea for Matson Steamship, and American Presidents Lines, as a radio operator, making about twenty trips.
He retired to Clearlake and from the sea in the mid 1970s, studying aviation, and became an accomplished pilot. Buying and piloting his own aircraft, a Taylorcraft, was a great joy. He made many trips around the country, as far as Maine, visiting friends, and occasional fly-ins for the Experimental Aircraft Association. He was a member of the Society of Wireless Pioneers, Lake County Amateur Radio Society, Lake County Airman”s Association and Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association.
Bob Sherbeck is survived by his sister, Helen, of Clearlake; and his nephews, Richard and his wife Susan of Fresno, Tom and his wife Sue of Cloverdale, and Bob of Clearlake.
Uncle Bob was a kind man with a good sense of humor, and he will be missed.
Many thanks to the nurses and aids of Hospice.
There is no service scheduled.
Donations may be made to Hospice of Lake County, St. John”s Lutheran Church or Lake County Amateur Radio Society.
Arrangements entrusted to Jones & Lewis Clear Lake Memorial Chapel.
Please sign the guest book at www.record-bee.com. Click “Obituaries.”
(Published in the Record-Bee on Saturday, April 14, 2007.)
