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BORN
1941
DIED
2019
FUNERAL HOME
1225 Sonoma Avenue
Santa Rosa, California
Robert Dudley Obituary
Robert "Bob" R. Dudley, age 77, passed away at his home in Santa Rosa, CA on August 31, 2019. He was born in Dundee, Michigan in 1941, a son of Rex and June Dudley. He served his country in the Coast Guard for 21 years as a search and rescue pilot, as well as a middle school math teacher for 15 years after his retirement.
He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Cheryl Dudley; three children, Deborah (James) Stafford, Dania (Scott Hawken) Dudley, and David (Vicky) Dudley; grandchildren, Samantha, Nathan, Audrey, Lonni, and Alexander; and by a brother, Tex (Jeannette) Dudley.
In 1960 Bob entered the US Coast Guard Academy in New London, CT where he was co-captain of the only undefeated football team in Academy history under the coaching of Otto Graham. While at the Academy he met his future wife, Cheryl, who was in nursing school at the time. They married, raised three children and spent the next 21 years moving around the country before settling in northern California in 1981.
Upon retiring from the Coast Guard, Bob decided to follow his dream of eventually becoming a teacher. He became a much-loved middle school math teacher, as well as math department head and a union negotiator for the Santa Rosa City School District.
In his free time, you could find Bob boating on his beloved boat "DO RITE" in the Delta. He and Cheryl were very active in the SRBCNC – Sea Ray Boat Club of Northern CA for 24 years. He held many positions on the Board of Directors.
To pass the "time," Bob opened Bob's Clock Shop out of his home. When he wasn't working on clocks, he spent time watching college football – go BLUE, as well as Warrior's basketball, and Redwings Hockey.
A Memorial Service will be held at 11:00 am on Saturday, October 5, 2019 at Holy Spirit Catholic Church, 1244 St Francis Rd, Santa Rosa. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Boys & Girls Club of Greater Santa Rosa.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Robert Dudley
Sponsored by Daniels Chapel of the Roses Funeral Home and Crematory, Inc. - Santa Rosa Daniels Chapel of the Rose.
walt viglienzone, CGA '65 Football Teammate, CAPT USCG Ret.
September 7, 2025
Bob we still miss you but have many great memories, including when you beat out Jim " Racoon eyes" S... for fullback , at the URI scrimmage, Sep 1961...
CG Academy classmate Gil GEORGE
says it well & memorably below in his "Ode"
... "football team co-captain,
He helped make our undefeated season happen.
Wherever you looked on the field,
he was alert and alive,
There was old Tree Trunk, number thirty-five!..."
Agape love & prayers, Viggy #43 ...
Darro M Smith
September 2, 2025
Worked for Commander Dudley. USCG
Bill Thompson
September 2, 2025
Co-Captain Dudley of the 1963 USCGA football team-,,,,,,,I had the privilege of teaming with Bob and sharing the leadership for the undefeated USCGA 1963 football regular season team and the first USCGA tram to be invited and play in a national bowl game. This was a great honor for Bob, me and for the United States Coast Guard Academy
Darro Smith (YN2)
August 14, 2023
A late heartfelt condolence. Worked for CDR Dudley in Alemeda, Ca USCG
Rene Buehl
July 18, 2023
Bob Cheryl and their kids were great neighbors and friends back in Foster City CA. My mother and I were saddened to hear of his passing.
January 31, 2020
One of my special cousins. He is sorely missed. Love you my classmate and cousin. Beverly dudley
Ruth and Nelson Jones
September 24, 2019
We were high school friends. I really liked him, he was a football star!
He and my husband, Nelson, were long time friends. He fought a good fight through his illness. He had a loving family and a wonderful wife. We will miss him. God bless you and RIP.
Gil George
September 24, 2019
Ode to Bob Dudley
Bob was a friend, a classmate, and a football team co-captain,
He helped make our undefeated season happen.
Wherever you looked on the field, he was alert and alive,
There was old Tree Trunk, number thirty-five!
Bob married the New England lady that he had dated,
A great life with Cheryl happened, as anticipated.
Bob was an active duty Coast Guard Aviator,
And a commercial pilot, for some years later!
They retired in Santa Rosa, a city so fine,
The urban heart of Californias Sonoma Valley wine.
Bob sought a challenge, without an if, but or why,
And started teaching math, at a city, junior high!
Bob also had another great fourth career,
For which he went back to school, without fear.
He became an expert at grand old clock repair,
With a garage full of clocks and parts, he worked with care!
Bob vacationed for one week, in March, each year,
In a Coachella Valley resort, so very near.
It was a week that Libby and I really enjoyed,
Next March, with no Dudleys, will be a real void!
Bob was a yacht club officer, which presents,
Boating classes, trips and social events.
But the favorite part of Bobs Retirement Plan,
Was being an avid College Football fan!
Saturdays number one, College Football Fan,
Left us minutes before, this years first game began.
So please look at this College Football season with love,
Cause you know Old # 35, is looking down from above!
Gil George
September 3, 2019
Robert Riopel
September 10, 2019
We are very sorry to hear about Bob's passing. I wish we could be there for the funeral, but will be returning from a cruise that very day. We will be keeping Bob and Cheryl in our prayers.
walt Viglienzone
September 8, 2019
Bob approached life as he approached football,
a sense of dedication & dependability balanced by sense of humor. We'll miss you teammate,
Viggy CGA '65
Bill Sigler iij
September 8, 2019
Sorry to read Cheyrl I always liked Bob..
I think of him everytime I hear "Hey Jude," which he sang in Alas..when u arrived in '69.
Take Care..thoughts & prayers
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Daniels Chapel of the Roses Funeral Home and Crematory, Inc. - Santa Rosa1225 Sonoma Avenue, Santa Rosa, CA 95402
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