Robert "Bob" Donald Levy

Robert (Bob) Donald Levy passed away peacefully at his beloved family home in Ukiah on October 11, 2023, just shy of his 91^st birthday.

Bob was born in San Francisco on November 21, 1932 to Milton and Genevieve Levy.  He attended Presidio Middle School and Washington High School in San Francisco before transferring to Burlingame High School when the family relocated to the peninsula. 

As a boy Bob loved exploring San Francisco by hitching a tow from cable cars and roller-skating down the hills, as well as bicycling out to the Sutro Baths and old military installations.  Every summer he visited his mother’s family (Wegner) in Ukiah.  Bob’s parents also took the family on many outings to our wonderful state and national parks.  They instilled a love of nature in Bob that he went on to share with his own family during many trips to Lake Tahoe, Yosemite, the Redwoods and the Mendocino coast among other favorite places.

While at Burlingame High Bob played football and was a track standout, claiming the All Peninsula Decathlon by winning 7 of 10 events.  A natural athlete, he enjoyed water-skiing and snow-skiing into his seventies and could not pass a lake or river without stopping to take a swim.

Bob attended UC Berkeley where he pledged Phi Kappa Tau fraternity and studied mechanical engineering before enlisting in the Army.  He served in Germany working as a mechanic and developed an ongoing fascination with everything mechanical – he could explain how “anything” worked.  While in the Army, Bob took every opportunity to travel the continent, fueling a lifelong interest in photography. 

Upon returning to the Bay Area he met Thelma on a blind date.  The date worked out pretty well - they married in 1958 and were together for more than 65 years!  Bob worked for several years as an engineer: first at Optical Coating Labs, then at Litton Industries where he helped to develop the first microwave tubes.  While at Litton he became interested in real estate and brought his family to Ukiah in 1964 to live in his grandmother’s former home.  

In Ukiah Bob joined Mendo Realty, eventually purchasing the business from his partners.  He owned Mendo Realty for over 40 years and his career in real estate lasted more than 50 years.  Bob loved working with clients and often went above and beyond to help them find that perfect property.  He also was instrumental in the Riverwood Terrace and Nokomis Acres housing developments.

Bob served as both a Director and President of the Mendocino County Board of Realtors, was a long-time Director for First American Title Company and also served for many years on the Board of Directors for Hospice of Ukiah.

A patriot and avid student of history, Bob particularly enjoyed military history and was an authority on World War II.  Despite serving in the Army, his true love was the Navy.  He served as President of the local chapter of the Navy League and was fortunate to participate in, among other outings, a weeklong cruise on the aircraft carrier USS Hancock - the trip of a lifetime. 

Bob loved to socialize and took a genuine interest in everyone he met.  He will be greatly missed by his family and friends and will be remembered for his integrity, his intellectual curiosity and his wonderful sense of humor.  A devoted husband and father, Bob was happiest spending time with his family, whether that was at home or sightseeing on the many trips the family enjoyed together.

Bob is survived by his wife Thelma, children Rob, Mark (Grace) and Jennifer, granddaughter Emma Levy, siblings John Levy (Linda) and Carol Jennings (Ed) and cousins Eileen McLeran (Mike), Sheila Edlund (Steve), Frank Donnelly (Helen), Laura Wegner, Avram Miller (Deborah), Beverly Harris and their extended families.

Please join us for a Memorial Mass on Friday, December 1^st at St. Mary of the Angels Church in Ukiah at 11 am.  A reception will follow immediately after Mass at Barra Winery. Arrangements are at the direction of Eversole Mortuary.  In lieu of flowers please consider making a donation to Hospice of Ukiah, the Ukiah Senior Center or your favorite charity.  The Levy family wishes to thank these organizations, along with DCI Ukiah, for their caring assistance during Bob’s last years.