Robert Funge Obituary

Robert (Bob) Funge
Sept. 13, 1931-
Mar. 22, 2013
Resident of San Carlos, CA
Bob lived and loved poetry. A writer of poetry since the '60's, he has published 3 books, The Lie the Lamb Knows, Daughter, and The Passage. Born and raised in San Francisco, he was able to see his Giants win two World Series. His greatest love was for his children and grandchildren. He is survived by his daughter, Pamela M. Funge; son, Christopher Funge; and grandchildren: Jennifer Burbidge, Emilie Funge, and Alexander Funge. A Celebration of Life for family and friends will be held on Friday, April 5th, at 2:00pm at Heritage Oak Winery, 10112 E. Woodbridge Rd., Acampo, CA 95220

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by San Jose Mercury News/San Mateo County Times on Apr. 3, 2013.

Memories and Condolences
for Robert Funge

4 Entries

Regina O'Melveny

April 11, 2018

Hook

Wear red and the sun comes out
- an old Irish proverb
I just made up. Hang your coat on a wall
with no hook, and one day
a hook will appear.

Robert Funge
from Stories, The Passage

In my case the hook disappeared like the tenants of a deserted cottage
in Sligo I once came upon as a young girl walking with my father,

a journey we undertook to see the land of unknown Irish kin
peasants racked by potato famine who fled to America.

But why was this particular cottage abandoned? crop failure,
poverty, death, who knows? A wind-tattered grocery list

still lay folded under a split sea-blue teacup, no saucer,
set upon a splintered three-legged table beneath thatched roof sag.

milk, flour, bran, soda, then the rest gone to mildew, a list not unlike
the stack of delinquent papers on my desk where I discovered

the announcement of your book under the pile Id neglected
for years, items of interest Id get to some day.

This spring day as a matter of fact, spurred to tidiness, I find your back-slanted
handwritten words, Hoping well meet again with Jane at Tassajara.

That brief poetry week years ago, and an acquaintance made keen
by the shared breath of words. I must order your book as I meant to.

Then I look you up and discover youre gone, even now
as your presence comes clear in humor and cadence.

Im elderly now myself and may cross over at any moment
so even the hearts smallest treasures, random beads and baubles shine.

Regretfully I count the ghost marks left by hooks fallen away
from a plastered wall in a thatched cottage in Sligo.

No matter. Here and there I hang my coat and thank you, as one
fellow traveler would thank another for holding the door open.

Regina OMelveny

The Hosking's Hosking Family

January 28, 2014

May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow

Bobbi Siegmann

April 9, 2013

A wonderful man & poet. I am blessed to have known him.

Carolyn Livengood

April 3, 2013

Dear Chris and Pamela:
I was very saddened to read about your dad's death. We usually kept in touch once a year around the holidays but I had some health issues this year and got behind calling or mailing people this past Christmas. I had him on a list of people to contact since Christmas but, sadly, I didn't accomplish my goal. Bob was the godfather of my son, Mark. You two used to play with my two kids, Mark and Lori (now known as Lexi), while your parents, my then husband, and I played pinochle! I used to work with your mom, Eileen, before I met your dad. I wish I could attend his Celebration of Life this Friday but I have a medical appointment that day for a problem I am currently having with one leg due to a bad back; however, I will be thinking of all of you. I hope you all, including your mom, are in good health.
If someone could call me at 650-355-5533 or email me at: [email protected], I would really appreciate it as I couldn't find a phone number for Chris or your mom on the Internet.

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