Robert Francis Beretta

Robert Francis Beretta, age 82, passed away peacefully, surrounded by his family, on August 26, 2025. He entered the world into a close-knit Swiss-Italian dairy community on February 12, 1943, in Petaluma, California to parents Joseph and Bernice Beretta. His family roots started with dairy farming in Chileno Valley, and then the Adobe Road Ranch. In 1948, the family moved to the Llano Road Ranch in Santa Rosa, California, where the family continues to operate the dairy farm today.
Bob grew up, the middle child, working the dairy, playing sports, and racing cars at the Cotati track and maybe a street race here or there. He graduated from Santa Rosa High School in 1961, where he was active in the FFA and sports, receiving the High School All-American recognition in Football and held the schools Pole Vault record of 11-0 feet, for many years. Bob was recruited to Fresno State College for football, however, was requested to stay and work the ranch instead. Farming was in his blood and a way of life he cherished and never left. Bob married his high school sweetheart, Barbara Cunningham, and they had two children, Doug and Tina, and he later married Grace Berton.
Bob was active in the community for many years, as a Little League coach, 4-H leader, fast pitch softball player, hot rod enthusiast and board member of the Laguna de Santa Rosa Foundation. He also received the Santa Rosa Fair "Dairy of the Year" award in 1998. Bob was a quiet man, but when he spoke others listened. He was kind, gentle, and very well respected.
Bob was preceded in death by his brother Stanley (Marion) Beretta. He is survived by his brother Art (Connie) Beretta, his two children Doug (Sharon) Beretta and Tina (Marc) Alves, grandchildren Jennifer, Lisa and Ryan Beretta, Ted (Amanda) Barton and Elleanna (Nick) Gilmore, great-grandchildren Brayden Beretta and Everly Barton, former wife and mother of his children Barbara McDougall and former wife Grace Berton, as well as numerous cousins, nieces, and nephews. Just as dear as his family, his beloved friends, who will all miss him dearly.
A memorial service will be held at Daniels Chapel of the Roses, 1225 Sonoma Avenue, Santa Rosa, CA on September 17, 2025, at 11:00 am. Gathering to follow. Please consider a donation in his memory to the Farm Bureau Foundation of Sonoma County, 3589 Westwind Blvd., Santa Rosa, CA 95403 (sonomafb.org/foundation) or the Santa Rosa High School Foundation, P.O. Box 11006, Santa Rosa, CA 95406 (www.srhsf.org)