Bob Donald

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Bob Donald

November 21, 1941 - October 19, 2004

Robert Leo Donald passed away on Tuesday evening, surrounded by his family. Bob was born in El Paso, Texas, but spent most of his life in Palo Alto. Bob’s positive outlook on life was unwavering, even in failing health. Bob lived with diabetes, pulmonary fibrosis, and cancer of the lung and brain.

He is survived by his loving wife of 41 years, Cherie, his sons and daughters-in-law David and Janet, John and Elaine, Robert and Laura, James, and John, his grandchildren Nicole, Henry, and Evan, his mother Elaine, his sister Kathryn, his brothers Jack, Tom, Steven, and Michael, and his many nephews and nieces and other relations, each of whom he loved with all his heart. He was preceded in death by his father Donovan, his sister Cheryl, and his brother Jim.

Bob had a kindness and a compassion for others that continues to inspire those who knew him and loved him. He had a significant effect on the lives of countless people. Bob loved to meet new people and hear their stories, and he traveled extensively to many parts of the world. He especially loved to bring smiles to the faces of impoverished children by bringing them toys and taking their pictures.

A graduate of Bellarmine College Preparatory and San Jose State University, Bob worked at the Palo Alto Co-op grocery stores before starting a long and rewarding career at New York Life Insurance Company. Bob’s co-workers and clients are among his numerous friends.

Bob loved his family, as we love him, and we all cherish the time we had together.

Visitation Friday, Oct. 22, 5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m., Roller, Hapgood & Tinney, 980 Middlefield Rd., Palo Alto. Rosary at 7:30.

Funeral Mass Saturday, Oct. 23, 9:00 a.m., St. Albert the Great, 1095 Channing Ave., Palo Alto. Graveside service following, Gate of Heaven Cemetery, 22555 Cristo Rey Dr., Los Altos. Reception following, home of Bob and Cherie Donald.

The above obituary notice was printed in the Palo Alto Daily News, the San Francisco Chronicle, and the San Jose Mercury News. The Palo Alto Weekly added some more personal information:

Robert Donald

Robert Leo Donald, 62, a resident of Palo Alto for more than 50 years, died Oct. 19.

Born in El Paso, Texas, he attended St. Thomas Aquinas School in Palo Alto, Bellarmine College Preparatory in San Jose and San Jose State University. He worked at Palo Alto's CO-OP Grocery Store before starting a long career at the New York Life Insurance Company.

"To him, everyday was a good day," said his son John Donald. "He greeted every day with a smile."

He loved traveling, meeting people in other countries, bringing toys to impoverished children and collecting artifacts. In addition to Honduras, which he visited frequently, he traveled to many other international destinations.

He had many interests, his son said, including beekeeping and raising birds. He was also a Star Trek fan.

He is survived by his loving wife of 41 years, Cherie Donald of Palo Alto; mother, Elaine Donald; sister, Kathryn Donald; brother, Jack Donald; brother, Tom Donald; brother, Steven; brother, Michael; son, David Donald of Elk Grove; son, John Donald of Menlo Park; son, Robert Donald of Walnut Creek; son, James Donald of San Jose; son, John Brubaker of Mountain View; and three grandchildren.

Services have been held. Donations may be made in his name to the California Jesuit Missionaries, c/o Jack Donald, P.O. Box 68, Los Gatos, CA 95031-0068.