Napa

Robert A. Davies Jr. passed away peacefully on January 15, 2025, at 87 years old, with family by his side and in his heart. Robert was known as Bob, Flash Bob, and Bob-Bob. He will always be remembered for his kindness and generosity.

Born June 17th, 1937, in San Francisco, CA to Robert and Milly Davies. Bob was the older brother of James. Bob graduated from Lincoln High School in 1955 and received a bachelor's degree in business from Stanford University. He then spent 2 years in the US Navy stationed in Japan. Upon returning from the service, Bob was back at school obtaining an MBA from Cal Berkeley.

Bob began working in the ad world and went on to start and run two successful graphic design, printing, and communication companies. In his professional community, Bob was a leader, respected for his creativity, and known for supporting and elevating his employees. He excelled in sales and was a particularly gifted cold caller. After retiring from running his own business Bob spent many years working with the local printing association, giving back to the community, sharing his knowledge and experience with many in the field, and also bringing his daughter Shannon into the association to learn the ropes. Bob also consulted on many non-profit boards, especially in the hearing loss community after he began to lose his hearing.

On a rainy day in December 1964, Bob married his lifelong love, Lenore Carlson. Lenore and Bob were married for 60 years. The two of them built a life in Marin County filled with friends, family, sailing, and traveling. Bob’s happy place was on a sailboat on the San Francisco Bay, and he was a long-time (second generation) member of the San Francisco Yacht Club. Bob loved the sea and always made everyone feel welcome to go for a sail with him. Bob and Lenore traveled with their family and friends and explored much of the world as retirees. They traveled to Africa, Australia, Europe, South America, and Asia, and took many trips to New Zealand to see their daughter Karen and her family. He was given the nickname Flash Bob due to his love of photographing his family and their travels.

Bob was fiercely loyal to his friends and had exceptional social skills. He was instrumental in organizing gatherings among many friend groups. Bob attended 50 Cal Stanford Big Games in a row (always rooting for Stanford) and he planned the annual tailgate and after-game dinners for his many college friends. Until recently, Bob also planned an annual lunch for his Lincoln High School friends. For many years Bob had weekly lunches with friends and as he began to slow down he adopted Zoom to continue that closeness with his many friends.

Bob was affectionately known as Bob-Bob to his grandchildren, whom he adored. He insisted on watching the grandchildren without Lenore so he could have 1-1 time with them. He rarely missed a baseball, soccer, basketball game or track meet for his grandsons Owen and Nate. When he visited his granddaughters Hannah and Kate in New Zealand he watched endless skits, dance recitals, and netball games. Getting all of his grandchildren together was one of his favorite things.

Bob is preceded in death by both of his parents, brother Jim, and many friends and relatives. He is survived by his wife Lenore Carlson Davies. He is also survived by his daughters Karen (Rhys) of New Zealand, and Shannon (Jason) of San Anselmo, grandchildren Hannah, Owen, Kate, and Nate, brothers-in-law Dave and Vern, and many nieces, and nephews.

Until we meet again Bob-Bob. We will miss you. Thumbs up. Kia tutaki ra ano tatou.

A celebration of Bob's life will be held in the spring. Donations in his memory can be made to Cure PSP, www.psp.org, or the San Francisco Hearing and Speech Center, www.hearingspeech.org