Robert Castell-Blanch

1954 - 2016

Robert Charles Castell-Blanch

April 16, 1954 - May 3, 2016

Bay Area musician, Robert (Bob) Charles Castell-Blanch, passed at home on May 3, 2016 after a quiet battle with cancer. He was the son of Robert Henry and Julie Castell-Blanch. Bob is survived by his wife Lynda Amen, daughters Jessica and Rebecca Castell-Blanch, sisters Cecilia Reed (Mark) and Olivia Sykes (Norm), half- sister Kathy Galino and countless wonderful cousins, including Adriana Gross and Aunt Mary (Maria Luz Gross), who were like second moms to him.

Born in San Francisco on April 16, 1954. He graduated from Lincoln High School and studied music at S.F. City College, and started his musical career in the mid 1970s. He co-founded a production company with Narada Michael Walden (Mahavishnu Orchestra) and Randy Jackson (American Idol). He recorded with Sister Sledge, Sheila E., and Pete Escovedo. Bob played on the hit single, "Love on a Two-Way Street" by Stacy Lattisaw. Bob was the guitarist with one of the first interracial bands in the S.F. Bay Area, Bad Water Bridge, featuring Grammy winner Wayne Wallace. Music was Bob's passion and his livelihood. He played in many bands around the Bay Area, but his main band was the Latin Rock/R&B group, the PHDs, from Pittsburg, CA and Napata and the Kisses.

Bob was an AVID Giants and Warriors fan and loved the 49ers. His laugh was infectious. He had a sharp sense of humor, often quoting Larry David. Bob radiated an inner sweetness, was a fun loving man, a stellar musician, great dad, loving brother, nephew and cousin, devoted husband and good ex-husband! He was an encouraging, kind, spiritual human being.

A Celebration of Life will be held at Crosswalk Church, 2590 1st Street in Napa, CA, May 22, 2016 at 3:30.