Robert Oakes Burpee

January 16, 1914- October 4, 2010. Died surrounded by members of his loving family at the age of 96 of natural causes on October 4, 2010 in Santa Rosa, CA. Bob was the son of Harry Hale and Helen Ballard Burpee. The family's roots originated in Normandy, France. The family subsequently emigrated to Franconia, New Hampshire. The family eventually settled out west and ended up in Lakeport, CA, where he was born and raised. Known for his positive attitude and spontaneous sense of humor, he carried those attributes from childhood into his adult life, most of which was spent in Sonoma County where he raised his family. Bob was an athlete at Clear Lake Union High School where he also excelled as a student and musician, having played trumpet in the three time all State Band Champion Band. He was able to earn some extra spending money as a member of a local dance band. He learned the lessons of hard work as a boy, as his mother and step-father owned a walnut ranch on Konocti Mountain where he and his brothers worked when not in school. He graduated from High School in 1931 and attended Modesto Junior College before beginning a career in the retail, then wholesale grocery business. Dorothy Johnson, a pretty young lady from Glendale, CA, captured Bob's heart that led to their eventual marriage. She became his best friend and companion for over 66 years. His love of people led him to a sales career with Wellman Peck and Company, a wholesale food distributor throughout California. He soon became the company's top salesman. When the company was sold, he decided on a new sales career and joined G.K. Hardt, the local Lincoln/Mercury dealer. Two years later he became the commerical sales manager for Henry Veale, Veale Motors, one of the first Volkswagon/Porsche dealers on the west coast, and later became general manager of the thriving dealership. A number of members of his sales staff became owners and managers of their own dealerships, a testament to his mentoring. Bob had an opportunity to become a partner in the Bevins and Bild Manufactured Home Dealership, and subsequently purchased the business with his new partner, Carman Brekke to form Burpee and Brekke. He retired in 1989, the business was sold, and has since become one of the largest manufactured home dealers in California. His son Bob said, "I don't believe my father ever had an enemy in the world. He was always humble, honest and cared about the people he knew and came in contact with." Family was always important. He and Dorothy purchased one of Hugh Codding's first homes where they raised their two children, Bob of Sun River, Oregon and Karen Wilson of Eureka, CA. He was preceded in death by his wife, Dorothy, his sister Harriet Covey, and two brothers, Cal Burpee and Al Burpee. He is survived by his grandchildren, Kimberly Kulik, of Sparta, NJ , Reid Burpee, Alan Wilson and Carrie Wilson, all of Bend, Oregon, and Peter Wilson of Eureka, CA. He will also be missed by his great grandchildren Lauren Kulik, Jack Kulik, Hayden Wilson and Ashlyn Wilson. In Addition he leaves his daughter-in-law, Mckenzie Burpee and son-in-law, Jerome Wilson. he was especially fond of Bob Kulik and Heidi Wilson. Bob was a pilot and owned his own airplane, which gave him great joy, as he could fly for both business and pleasure. He enjoyed music and was a member of the First Presbyterian Church where he and Dorothy were members of the Chancel Choir for twenty-five years. At the request of the deceased, no services will be held. In lieu of flowers, the family has requested donations be made to the Santa Rosa Memorial Hospice. Santa Rosa Mortuary Eggen & Lance Chapel, 707-545-3747. Please sign the guest book at www.Times-Standard.com, click obits.