Robert ""Bob"" H. Bergtholdt,75, passed away August 29, 2023, in Bradenton, FL. Robert ""Bob"" was born in Yakima, WA, but lived most of his life in San Mateo (Foster City), CA, before moving to Lakewood Ranch, FL in 2018.
He graduated from Aragon High School and attended Menlo College. Bob was a true renaissance man. At the age of 10 he began sailing which would later lead to being a helmsman on many winning campaigns on San Francisco Bay and up and down the west coast. He is a past member of the St. Francis Yacht Club which he took great pride in.
During his high school years, Bob was drawn to another water sport, surfing. He was a true Californian, driving his VW bus, surfing up and down the west coast, making his way to his favorite spots, Pedro Point and Steamers Lane.
While attending Menlo College, Bob found himself with an overwhelming desire to travel the world. He felt there was so much more to learn than sitting in a classroom. He traveled to India where he found a calling. He studied Buddhism and decided this was a path he would follow. He lived in Ceylon and Napal for two and half years and was an ordained Monk. After a while he decided he could no longer follow that path and moved on. He found himself traveling to Spain, living on the small island of Formentera. He learned to farm the land and connected with friends from high school and several musicians who had also traveled the world.
After a few years, he returned to California, back to surfing, sailing and music. He became a model for Look Talent. He later went into high tech selling computer memory for Computer Global.
Bob was preceded in death by his mother, Patricia Bergtholdt, father, Harry Bergtholdt and stepmother, Marguerite Piazza. In 1995, Bob met his wife, Debbie, and shared the remainder of his life with her. He is survived by his loving wife, Debbie; stepchildren, Brian Gies (Christin), Emily Hood; two grandsons, Jaxson and Carter Gies; He is survived by five step siblings, Gregory Condon, Shirley Condon, Billy Condon, Marguerite Bonnett, and Anna Becky Redlich.
Bob retired in 2012 after a cancer diagnosis a few years earlier. He turned to music and his love of the guitar. This brought him great solace. Bob faced his disease with faith, love of family, humor and dignity with his faithful pup, Cassie, by his side.
No Local Services are planned at this time, however, services will be held at a later date in San Francisco. Brown & Sons Funeral Homes & Crematory 43rd Street Chapel is in charge of arrangements. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to https://www.luminaries.life/donate. Condolences may be made to www.brownandsonsfuneral.com.
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