Robert "Bob" Avalon

1927 - 2023

Robert (Bob) Avalon, resident of Martinez California, passed away peacefully on September 6, 2023 at the age of 96, after struggling for several years with Parkinson's disease. Bob was a quiet man who had a lasting impact on everyone who came to know him. His interest in you was genuine, his word to you was his honor, his commitment to you was guaranteed. Bob was first and foremost a family man, always there to support and help family members whenever it was needed. Kind, gentle, and humble, he was a beautiful soul.Bob was born in Oakland on January 19, 1927. Raised during the Depression, he had a hardscrabble young life as his parents moved back and forth between Oakland and the Central Valley looking for work. Bob attended Fremont High School in Oakland. World War II was raging and in June 1943, after school had let out for the summer, he signed up for the Merchant Marines. Because he was only 16, he was assigned to the kitchen (galley) as a cook. At a "welcome home" party after the ship returned, Bob saw his future wife and knew immediately she was his soulmate, but it was two years before he asked her out on a date. Throughout the remainder of the war, his cargo ships, under constant threat of attack by enemy submarines and planes, brought supplies, munitions, & soldiers to the front lines in the South Pacific.On July 2, 1948, Bob married Virginia Kayser, the love of his life, and enjoyed 75 years of an adventurous life together. At this time Bob gave up the seafaring life and studied to be a carpenter, working for several different contractors on four-unit residential buildings. He bought a lot in Montclair, in the Oakland hills, and went there every day after work and on weekends to build a home for themselves. The Korean War broke out and, in 1951, Bob returned to the Merchant Marines to support the war effort. On his return, he established his own construction company, building over 125 custom homes in his career, primarily in Contra Costa County. Initially moving into each house they built, Bob and Virginia settled down when they had children in the mid-1950s.Bob was a farmer at heart, having grown up in farm country outside Manteca. Every home he built for the family was surrounded by acreage. Each year Bob grew a bountiful garden, including fruit trees and berries, and raised a steer for meat. He also raised chickens and, occasionally, sheep, milk cows, and rabbits. The family larder was kept full of fresh meat, eggs, and vegetables. Bob enjoyed maintaining his property, driving his tractor around to distribute manure and wood chips, rotovate weeds, or clear old crops. He also loved the art of carpentry and working with his hands.One of the things Bob enjoyed in the Merchant Marines was visiting other countries and experiencing their culture. He nurtured this enjoyment with Virginia as they traveled extensively to many countries over the years. They traveled independently (no tours) and visited such exotic places as Papua New Guinea, Ethiopia, Petra, Serengeti plains, and Dubai. Bob's favorite destination was his second home in Puerto Vallarta, where he and Virginia went for six weeks every spring and fall. Although retired for several years, at the age of 74 Bob began constructing the last house he would build; a family home on 5 acres in Alhambra Valley. It was here that he planted 100 grapevines and began making wine. Bob was a lifelong learner and winemaking was just one of the many interests he had in life that he studied and mastered. Commandeering half the basement in their home, Bob gathered the necessary equipment and set up a modest winery, producing about 30 gallons of free-run wine each year.Bob loved his family above all else and with all his heart. He is survived by his wife Virginia Avalon, son Mitch Avalon (wife Carolyn), daughter Denae Olmsted (deceased husband Richard), granddaughter Ashley Avalon (husband Aaron Lopez) and granddaughter Brittany Avalon. Bob will be greatly missed by all who knew him. The family will hold a private graveside service to celebrate his life.