Resident of Walnut Creek

Bob was born in Delanco, NJ, and remembered his Mom putting a sign in the window to indicate how many pounds of ice were needed for the ice box. He followed his grandfather and father to the Riverside Metal Company but found working with things unsatisfying. After attending Maryville College and Princeton Seminary, Bob served as a National Presbyterian Missions pastor in Yoder, WY, where he loved being out in nature to hunt for arrowheads. Moving to Pittsburg, PA, he managed Fred Roger’s day care center when Mr. Rogers became too busy with WQED. Bob reinvented himself several more times, becoming an agent and trainer for New York Life, receiving a Master’s degree from St. Mary’s University in San Antonio, and practicing as a licensed marriage and family therapist. He then became Mr. Mom for Holly and Heather after moving to Orinda, CA.

Bob served others in many ways throughout his life, including facilitating a weekly divorce care group for 20+ years at WCPC, leading spiritual journaling at LOPC, and serving on the board of Walk to Emmaus.

Bob is survived by his wife, Leslie, whom he met 38 years ago. He is also survived by his children and their spouses: Carolyn Finertie, Stu and Terri Finertie, Meredith Finertie Gonzalez, Becky and Russell Garza, Holly Finertie and Kate Bridge, Heather Finertie and Andrew Saarni, and his grandchildren and their spouses: Leah and Jack Crites, Madison and Justin Zamzow, Gabriel Finertie, Kayla and Kyle Corey, Sean Gonzalez, and Brianna Garza, as well as many great-grandchildren.

Bob wrote this creative obituary in 2015: He was hungry for knowledge. Curious about how things worked.

Thirsty for living water to fill his cup so it could overflow into the lives of others. He was visual, needing to see things, with a bent toward simile and metaphor. Awed by the majesty of creation. Drawn to Niagara Falls, the Grand Canyon (he ran it twice in a dory). Adrenalized by Marble Canyon Rapids, Machu Picchu, and the outdoor cathedral called John Muir Woods. Deeply grieved by 9/11. Moved to tears by the love of Leslie, births of his children, and standing among the headstones of a National Cemetery. Overwhelmed by the sacrifice and the loss. He dug deeply into theology, psychology, and French.

Enjoyed good music viscerally, especially Handel’s Messiah and John Rutter’s Requiem. Envisioned others’ psychological states with an intuitive knowing. Reveled in walking with others during a crisis and hiking the open spaces. Excelled at dancing on precision roller skates and the required figures. Grinned at the Camaro’s throaty sound as she gets up to speed on the entry ramp.

Won gold medals in marksmanship with the NJ National Guard Battalion rifle team. Loved to invite friends to hunt for mule deer and antelope in Wyoming. Developed a voracious appetite for memoir as an octogenarian, reading gobs of them and honing the craft towrite and publish two of his own.

Loved Abba and His Son Jesus. At length, learned to love himself. Looked forward to a reunion with Christ and longed for, “Well done, good and faithful servant.”

Attempts at perfection misfired horribly and resulted in mass destruction. Regretted, repented, and accepted forgiveness.

After Bob’s stroke in 2022, he was inspired by David Whyte’s poem Start Close In: “Don’t take the second step or the third, but the first, the step you don’t want to take.” Taking those steps close to home, Bob developed an awareness of the beauty that was near him, posting photos such as a rose that seemed illuminated from within.

Bob’s service will be held at Lafayette Orinda Presbyterian Church, 49 Knox Dr, Lafayette 94549 on April 26 at 11 am. Attend virtually at lopc.org/worship. Donations may be made to Lafayette Orinda Presbyterian Church Foundation or Black Hills Wild Horse Sanctuary at www.wildmustangs.com.