Robert Paul D'Olivo

1927 - 2021

September 14, 1927 - July 11, 2021 Robert Paul D'Olivo passed away on July 11, 2021, at the age of 93, in Atascadero, California. He was born in Marlboro, MA on September 14, 1927, to Alfred and Hertha D'Olivo. The family then settled in Rochester, NY. Before moving to California in 1950, he met and married Ruth Yockel, also from Rochester, on October 18, 1949. Eventually settling in La Canada Flintridge, Ruth and he welcomed two daughters, Diane (Dede) and Sharon, whom he loved and adored. He then moved to Atascadero, CA, in 2008.In 1952 he was hired on at Trend, Inc., which then became Petersen Publishing Co, which at that time only Hot Rod, Motor Trend, Cycle and Auto magazines were the only titles published. In less than two years, the title of Chief Photographer and Photo Dept. Manager were awarded. Race coverage and road testing occupied most of his time. Bonneville, Pikes Peak, SCCA and Cal Club Road Races, NHRA Drags, Indianapolis 500 (30 straight years of coverage), Daytona 500, Sebring, NASCAR, CAN-AM, and TRANS-AM are some of the major events photographedBecoming the Director of Photography for Petersen afforded him the opportunities to travel the world, visiting 11 countries. In his 44 years at Petersen, he met many interesting and famous people, even becoming lifelong friends with some. In 1956, with Racer Brown, technical editor of Hot Rod magazine, they volunteered to campaign a road racing factory Corvette for Chevrolet. All chassis and engine work were performed at Bob's home in a two-car garage, working only nights and weekends. The infamous "106" competed in all West Coast SCCA and CAL Club races, ultimately winning the National SCCA "C" Production Class, giving Chevrolet its first Corvette Road Racing championship with Dick Thompson driving. He loved physics and was always curious about how things were made and how they worked. A lifelong "tinkerer", he loved to make things and his favorite places were in his garage or his yard. He had been a die-hard Dodger fan for more than 60 years.Bob was preceded in death by both his parents, his brothers, Alfred, Jr. and Jerry, and Ruth. He is survived by his two daughters, Dede Mueller (Tom) of La Crescenta, CA, and Sharon Fredricks (Bob) of Atascadero, CA; his four grandchildren, Sarah Ross (James) of Sacramento, CA, Eric Mueller (Natalie) of Carlsbad, CA, Jake Fredricks of Irvine, CA, and Alexis Mueller of North Hollywood, CA; and his great-grandchildren, Anthony, Elizabeth, Daniel and Cecilia Ross; Olivia Mueller and Baby Mueller, due in January 2022. Being a grandfather and great-grandfather was the highlight of his life. He is survived by his younger brother and sisters, Ronald D'Olivo (Dorothy) of Greendale, WI, JoAnne Cooke of Rochester, NY, and Valerie Saraceno (Bill) of Daytona Beach, FL along with numerous nieces and nephews. In lieu of flowers to the family, please send them to a special loved one; or donate to the Carroll Shelby Children's Foundation, www.shelby.com. Services will be private.