BOB MERRITT

“The mountains are calling and I must go.” – John Muir

Robert Edward Merritt Jr. was born on January 31, 1941

in San Francisco, CA. He passed away peacefully

surrounded by his family (which he swore would never

happen because he thought no one truly died that way),

on February 22, 2015.

The oldest son of Robert and June Merritt, Bob and his

twin brothers, grew up on the San Francisco Peninsula.

Humboldt State University following his graduation from

Carlmont High School in Belmont in 1958. Two years

later he transferred to Sacramento State where he

graduated with honors in 1963. After college, Bob

headed to UC Berkeley’s Boalt Law School. While at

Boalt he met a wonderful brunette named Robin Kragen,

daughter of renowned Boalt professor Adrian Kragen.

Thankfully, Bob never took Adrian’s class, so he was able

to date Robin and proposed after just three months. He

graduated from Boalt in June of 1966 and he and Robin

1969 and he and Robin had four children, Kim, Kevin,

Kristin, and Kati. In spite of a demanding legal career,

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Bob found time to serve his community and helped lead the drive to incorporate the Town of

Moraga. He served on the Moraga School Board for twelve years and was named Moraga Citizen

of the Year in 1983. He also somehow managed to find time to coach many of his children’s

baseball and soccer teams and volunteer in their classrooms.

In 1981, Bob joined McCutchen, Doyle,

Brown and Enerson, which would later

become Bingham McCutchen. He

he would agree. He transferred to the

Walnut Creek office of McCutchen in the

early 90’s and retired from his law

practice in 2004. The following year he

was hired by the Alumni Association as

the Project Manager for the Lair of the

Golden Bear, fulfilling his lifelong dream

of working on staff.

Bob volunteered countless hours of his time. His love of the outdoors led him to

serve the Stanislaus Wilderness Volunteers, Save the Redwoods League, Vida

backpacking and hiking with friends in the mountains. He was known to

strike up conversations with anyone he could find about the joys of

backpacking, and was always looking to introduce a new person to the

beauty of nature. He relished a good freeze dried meal and a mountain

Mai-Tai, while quoting John Muir and singing John Denver songs along the

trail. He spent over 40 summers camping at the Lair with his entire family,

where he volunteered to do pots and threw his legendary Gin Fizz party

every summer.

Beyond backpacking, Bob loved to travel and took his family on many

Griswold like adventures around the world, as long as they did not involve

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nature; hence my

love of hiking and

backpacking in

the Sierra.”

- BOB MERRITT

five star hotels. With the exception

of golf, Bob enjoyed sports and was

an avid Cal fan who could often be

seen with Robin or grandkids at the

football and basketball games with

a Top Dog in hand. He had a

passion for rhubarb pie, marzipan,

and jam of any kind. He preferred

his coffee (and showers) scalding

enthusiasm for life and those he

loved.

He was a very devoted father who made all family birthday cakes, took his

children on early morning breakfast dates and one-on-one backpacking trips,

(Pam), and Joe Merritt, their families, and all his caring friends

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Lair of the Bear - 1985

Celebration of Life for Bob Merritt

At the California Shakespeare Theatre on

May 31, 2015 from 10am – 1pm

(9:30am pre-reception)

Please come dressed in your best Cal gear, ranger

uniform, hiking outfit, or casual attire!

Cal Shakes

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account for people to view and upload photos.

Please upload any photos you have of Bob!

View at http://merritts.smugmug.com/Family/Bob-Merritt/

(You may also email photos to me at#katiradziwon@yahoo.com#and I can upload them if

that is easier. Thanks!)

Donations

Bob loved many causes, but two in particular that stand out are Save the Redwoods and

Vida Verde. We have provided information and details for both below, but please feel free to

love in the spirit of giving.##

Save the Redwoods#

Bob served#on the Board of Save of the Redwoods

and was an active member of their organization.

be a reminder to our family of his beauty and

There are many different ways to donate including an

honor gift,#planting a sapling, dedicating a tree/grove,

or by mail at:

Save the Redwoods League

111 Sutter Street, 11th Floor

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San Francisco, CA 94104

(Please make sure to note Bob's name either online or in the note of the check.)

Vida Verde

Vide Verde is a nonprofit that promotes educational equity by providing free, overnight,

environmental learning experiences for students who don't

Donations to Vida Verde will be directed towards programs

for students from the Lighthouse Charter School in

FORWARD TO SEEING YOU IN MAY! - The Merritt Family

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