Robert W. Kummer Jr.

May 31, 1936-June 10, 2015

Bob passed peacefully at Cottage Hospital with his family by his bedside on June 10, 2015.

Bob came from humble beginnings, born and raised with his brother, Tom in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. His leadership skills began as President of the student body and Captain of the debate team at West View High School. Bob attended the State Student Council Convention in 1954 and gave the opening address before Senator Estes Kefauver's keynote speech. Senator Kefauver was so impressed by the speech entitled, "Dare to Be Leaders" that he had a copy printed in the Congressional Hall of Records.

Bob graduated from Oberlin College and did graduate work at UC Berkeley. He returned to Oberlin to work as a fund raiser for the President's Office before coming out to California to begin his banking career at Union Bank in Los Angeles. After 19 years as a Vice President, he decided to start a bank in Los Angeles called 1st Business Bank. He was one of the Founders and Chairman and CEO of the Bank with three partners. The Bank opened its doors in 1981. Bob remained as Chairman for 19 years and remained in this position after the Bank was sold to Mellon.

His leadership skills went beyond banking and he joined the Board of Trustees at Woodbury University in 1993 and served as Chair from 1997- 2013. He received an Honorary Degree of Doctor of Business Administration from Woodbury in 2008. Bob also joined the Board of Trustees at Pomona College and received a Resolution of Appreciation for serving more than a decade. He also served on the Board of Advisors at Westmont College. He was also on the Board of Trustees for the Fletcher Jones Foundation in Los Angeles.

Bob and his wife of 34 years, Barbara, retired in Santa Barbara and pursued their passion for the game of golf, joining Birnam Wood Golf Club in 1983 and subsequently joining the Valley Club of Montecito. Bob was an avid golfer and competitor. He not only played the game but became a Lifetime Honorary Member of the PGA of Southern California and served as their financial advisor for many years. He was awarded the PGA of Southern California's Presidents Award in 2001 and 2014. Bob served as President of Birnam Wood twice, in 2000-2002 and again in 2010-2011. He was nominated and received the distinction of being one of the top Club Presidents by Boardroom Magazine. He was one of the founding members of the Robert Trent Jones Society of which Birnam Wood is a member. He chaired and served on many committees both at Birnam Wood and the Valley Club.

Bob gave 120% in everything he did and it was never about him, always willing to give of himself to help others. He was a devoted husband, Dad and Papa to his six children, Chris, Mark, David, Dave, Tricia and Peter and his seven grandchildren, Ryan, Danny, Michelle, Sydney, John, Mia and Sofia. There will be an empty place at the table for him that can never be filled. His legacy will remain with so many as he touched many lives with his caring and expertise.

Bob's Memorial Mass will be at Our Lady of Mount Carmel in Montecito on June 27, 2015 at 11:00 a.m. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in his name to Cottage Hospital, Visiting Nurse and Hospice Care, Westmont College, the Scholarship Foundation in Santa Barbara, Woodbury University in Burbank or Pomona College.