Robert Otis "Bob" Price

1932 - 2011

Robert Otis "Bob" Price 1932 - 2011 Bob Price was born on January 4, 1932 in Abilene, Kansas and completed his life's journey on February 9, 2011 at San Joaquin Community Hospital in Bakersfield. With his father Iru, mother Irene and sister Betty, they moved to San Luis Obispo in 1937. After a time, the family moved to Bakersfield and Bob graduated Kern County Union High School in 1949. His first job was at Carnation on Union Avenue as a soda jerk, and then for the Santa Fe Railroad. More importantly, during this time he met Dorothy Faye McCoy and they married on January 26, 1951. Bob was drafted by The US Army in 1952 serving at Fort Ord California. He then became a Mess Sergeant in the 5th Army and was affectionately known as a "belly robber". Dorothy and Bob's first son Fred Dennis was born in May 1954 at Fort Ord. Later that year, Bob was discharged from active duty and honorably discharged from the Army in 1960. He then moved the family back to Bakersfield and joined Pep Boys as a salesman. Their second son Donald Eugene, a special needs child, was born November 1955. Bob's public service career started in 1956 when a friend encouraged him to take the test and join the Bakersfield Police Department (BPD). He served the city of Bakersfield for the next 32 years. Bob made Sergeant in 1964, Lieutenant in 1966, Captain in 1970 and was appointed Chief of Police in 1973. Through out his police career his first love was being a motorcycle cop. He was a member of the Drill Team and road a motorcycle right up until being appointed Chief. While serving the City he also attended the FBI Academy and was a member of The State of California Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Commission. He retired as Chief in 1988. After retiring as Chief, he served as Interim Director of The Bakersfield Association of Retarded Children (BARC), Interim Head of the Santa Clara Communications Center, Interim Chief of Police of South Pasadena and Interim Chief of Police of Soledad. His friends then convinced him to run for Mayor of Bakersfield in 1992. He served two terms as Mayor leaving office in January 2001. Bob also dealt with personal loss. In 1996 wife Dorothy died after a long battle with cancer. His son Donald, who was challenged throughout his life, died in early 2010. He did find a new partner in Sondra (Sandi) Boyd and they were married in 1997. He was a loving father-in-law to Vivian Price, doting grandfather to his grandkids Erin and Robert Price and he loved Sandi's daughter Kim Shehadey, husband Jim, and their children Audrey, Robert and Lauren. Bob was a role model for them all. Not only was Bob a dedicated public servant, but he was a man of deep faith and conviction. He relished the chances to teach, counsel and lead. At his core, he was anchored in his Christian faith, devoted to his family and dedicated to making a difference in his community. It is no wonder he was loved and respected by so many. He will be missed as a husband, father, grandfather, friend and leader. He leaves a legacy that challenges us all to be better, to be true to our faith and to give of ourselves unselfishly. He may be gone from us now but his influence will be felt for generations. Robert Kennedy said something that truly applies to Bob Price. "It is not enough to understand, or to see clearly. The future will be shaped in the arena of human activity, by those willing to commit their minds and their bodies to the task. Few will have the greatness to bend history itself; but each of us can work to change a small portion of events, and in the total of all these acts will be written the history of this generation. Since the days of Greece and Rome when the word 'citizen' was a title of honor, we have often seen more emphasis put on the rights of citizenship than on its responsibilities. And today, as never before in the free world, responsibility is the greatest right of citizenship and service the greatest of freedom's privileges." God bless you Bob for the many lives you have touched and the service you have given. Your family and community will miss you greatly. There will be a public memorial service at 11:00 a.m., on Saturday February 12th at First Presbyterian Church, 1705 17th Street, Bakersfield. The family wishes in lieu of flowers that donations be made in Bob's memory to: The Bakersfield Police Activities League (PAL), 301 East 4th Street Bakersfield, CA 93307 Phone: 661-283-8880 or Bakersfield SPCA Pet Adoption Center 3000 Gibson Street Bakersfield, CA 93308 Phone: 661-323-8353 www.bakersfield.com/obits