Robert C. Berry Jr.

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved father, and grandfather, Robert (Bob) Berry. Bob passed away at the age of 81 on April 17, 2023, in Santa Cruz, California surrounded by loved ones.Bob Berry, Jr. was born on March 10, 1942, in San Jose, California, to Bob Sr. and Mavis Berry. Bob grew up with a love for sports and the outdoors. He played football at Willow Glen High School, coached by his father, Bob Sr. and went on to become a standout quarterback at the University of Oregon, where he was named a first-team All-American his senior year. Bob was inducted to the Oregon Sports Hall of Fame in 1987 and the University of Oregon Athletics Hall of Fame in 1992.In 1964, following his senior year at University of Oregon, Bob signed with the Minnesota Vikings. He played four seasons with the Vikings before being traded to the Atlanta Falcons in 1968. He spent the next 5 years with the Falcons where he set numerous passing records and earned Pro Bowl honors in 1969. In 1973 he returned to Minnesota and the Vikings where he finished out his football career, retiring in 1977. Bob had a lifelong love of the ocean. Growing up, Bob spent time with family in Seacliff and started surfing in high school. Soon after signing with the Vikings, Bob bought his first house in Santa Cruz near Pleasure Point where he surfed in the off-season. Eventually Bob moved from surfing to sailing Hobie Cats and larger boats. Bob (Captain Grandpa to his grandchildren) was a skilled helmsman who sailed for many years locally as well as in Lake Tahoe, Mexico, the Hawaiian Islands, Europe and the Caribbean.Bob was involved in many businesses during and after his football career including owning a health club and a boat dealership, selling insurance, chartering boats, and finally as a real estate agent in Nevada. Bob moved to the U.S. Virgin Islands in 1991, fulfilling a long held dream of living in the Caribbean, where he owned and operated a boat charter business. Bob moved back to the states and settled in Gardnerville, Nevada in 1996. Bob fully retired and moved back to Santa Cruz County in 2012 to be closer to his grandchildren and many long-time friends, happy to be near the ocean again. He found additional fulfillment through volunteering with the Aptos High School Mariners football team and with the Santa Cruz Adaptive Sailing Program for disabled sailors.Bob had a uniquely positive attitude and retained a healthy sense of humility and perspective throughout his life. He was proud of his football career but it didn't define him. His true joy was found in his family and his friends who to him, were like family. He could often be heard saying "You can never have too much fun." And he did have fun, more than just about anyone. He always had a smile to greet you and managed to find the good in people and circumstances right up until his passing. Bob was truly one of a kind and will be deeply missed. He is survived by his loving children, Jennifer Berry (Nathan Bach) of Aptos, CA, and Michael Berry of Las Vegas, NV; by brother Ken Berry (Sandy) of Fair Oaks, CA, sister Nancy Smith (Don) of Bend, OR; and his grandchildren, Sam and Henry Bach of Aptos, CA. Bob was predeceased by his parents, Robert C. Berry, Sr. and Mavis C. Berry. Fair winds and following seas, Captain Grandpa. We love you.In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Alzheimer's Association. The family is grateful for the loving care and support from the wonderful team at Lifespan of Santa Cruz and Sunshine Villa. A celebration of life will be held later in July.