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Robert (Bob) Rhoades
Aug 29, 1929-Mar 29, 2014
Resident of Walnut Creek
Robert (Bob) Rhoades was born August 29, 1929 in Oakland, California.
Bob grew up in Lafayette and graduated from Acalanes High School in 1947. He joined the US Air Force in 1948, reaching the rank of Staff Sergeant as a Flight Engineer in C-47s and B-25s.
Bob was employed in various occupations. In 1958, he joined the Lafayette Fire Protection District, which became part of the Contra Costa County Fire Protection District. In his thirty year career in the fire service, he worked his way up through the ranks as a Firefighter, Engineer, Inspector, Captain, Fire Marshal, Battalion Chief, and Assistant Fire Chief.
During that time Bob met his wife-to-be, Carolyn, at a firefighters picnic. They fell in love and were married in May, 1962. They had two sons, Mark and Michael.
In September, 1957, Bob joined Bible Study Fellowship, and after learning the true gospel, received Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior. He and Carolyn became members of the Evangelical Free Church of Walnut Creek (now NorthCreek Church) in 1979, where Bob served as an Elder and a Bible study leader.
In 1985, he accepted the position of Fire Chief at the Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory Fire Department. In addition to the normal activities as Fire Chief, he was involved in coordinating his department's operations at the Loma Prieta earthquake in 1989, and the Oakland-Berkeley Hills fire in 1992.
Over the years, Bob has enjoyed many activities including car racing, boat racing, fishing, skiing, tennis, sailing, listening to big band and country music, and in church, singing such hymns as "Amazing Grace", "How Great Thou Art", and "And Can it Be".
A Celebration of Bob's life will take place at 11 a.m. Saturday April 19, at NorthCreek Church, 2303 Ygnacio Valley Road, Walnut Creek.
One of his greatest wishes is that all his friends, relatives and neighbors would learn the true gospel, as presented in the Holy Bible, and receive Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior before it's too late.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Sponsored by East Bay Times.
1 Entry
Carolyn, I am so sorry for your loss. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers.
Vicki Delbridge
April 18, 2014
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