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BORN
1950
DIED
2016
Robert Cheney Obituary
July 3, 1950 - January 28, 2016
North LibertyBob Cheney was born in San Francisco to David and Barbara Cheney.
Bob fell in love with the guitar and rock n' roll when he saw Elvis on Ed Sullivan when he was six. It took him seven years to talk his dad into letting him get a guitar. He grew up loving Ray Charles, BB King, the Beatles, and the Beach Boys along with all the great country artists, like Chet Atkins.
Bob started doing gigs at 13, and in his twenties he formed a popular Bay Area band called 90 Weight (He also loved cars).
In 1978 he married his best friend, Suzy Perisho. They started to play together around the City, Marin and Sonoma counties. They became FRISCO and took the show to Canada, most of the US, and the Caribbean. They spent 35 years on the road making music for friends, family, and love.
Bob is survived his wife Suzy, his brothers; Mike of San Francisco, Dan of Sonoma Ca., and Mark Hill of Napa Ca., his sisters; Debbie (Wally) May of Medford Or., Kathy (Tom) Burghardt of San Francisco, Sue Hennes of Sacramento Ca., Diane Cheney of Rohnert Park Ca., and Patti Rubio of Indianapolis In, his brother's in-law; Mark (Sarah) Perisho of Muscatine Ia., Rex (Marcie) Perisho of Davenport Ia., and Bill Peila of Santa Rosa Ca.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his stepmother Jean, his sister Margie, his step- brother Nick Hill, and father and mother in-law Vern and Ruth Persisho.
His friends form a very long list because Bob knew how to be a friend. They have provided Suzy with incredible love and support, coming to her and Bob's aid from all over the country. Suzy wishes to thank them all, along with the friends that they have made in North Liberty and Solon, with special thanks to the Solon American Legion.
Bob was a gifted guitar player and songwriter. His work can be heard at friscolivemusic.com.
Most of all, Bob was a good man. Thanks to the doctors and their teams at UIHC. Thank you to everyone who loved him.
Services pending on Mt Tamilpais, Marin County California.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Robert Cheney
Mags
January 29, 2024
Miss you.
Mags
Cyrena (Stanley) (Sheetz) Buschmann
July 7, 2023
Suzy, Mary Sue Pfaff & I have been trying to locate you for YEARS! Sadly, we just discovered your husband´s obituary. I still live in Sigourney, divorced Mark Sheetz & am now married to Phil Buschmann. We split our time between Sigourney & Naples, Florida. Mary Sue´s first husband died & she is now married to Mike Lloyd. They live in Eustis, FL. We would sure like to get together with you before we are too old! Perhaps we can start by connecting via phone or email. I look forward to hearing from you!
MagZ
January 24, 2023
Play on.
M2
M2
January 27, 2022
I believe in starting a new life!
Margaret Two
January 24, 2021
Man, you could make that Martin sing.
Then ya had to go and name her “Margaret 1.”
Mags
July 12, 2020
Hey, Bob, seen Bruce? I'v learned top play "Dolphins." Okay, on the uke, yeah yeah. Sounded better on Margaret 1, with Mabel, but there ya go.
Later, Mags
October 1, 2017
still missing you most
Michael Cheney
March 1, 2016
Bob wasn't just their in spirit he 'was there'!
http://www.sfgate.com/living/article/Hippies-Haight-Ashbury-6847213.php
Kristin Thurman
February 29, 2016
Bob, you are one of a kind! You are the glue that holds Wood Estates together in our hearts and minds. I love you, I love your music, I love your friendship and I love how you love Suzy. I will miss you.
February 12, 2016
I think I'll miss you most of all
Mags
February 11, 2016
Bob, you always knew exactly what buttons to push, and I'm not talking the wa-wa pedal. But you also were a loyal friend, never letting a valuable friendship lapse if you could help it. Thanks for the music and the laughs. I love you and Suzy. You may be gone, but Wood Estates lives on. --Mags
Bob and Mags at Wood Estates
Mags
February 11, 2016
Helaine Glick
February 8, 2016
Creative writing prize at Lincoln High
Wood Street with Bruce and Perusha and meeting a lifetime's worth of amazing friends
90 Weight at the Catalyst in Santa Cruz and weekends at the club in SF
San Rafael, linguini & clams
Our mothers
Weekend phone conversations from Iowa
Email musings, extravaganzas, and outrages
Music, music, music, music - Elvis, Beatles, Dylan (and endless more)
To everyone who loved him too
always and forever
Bob on Wood Street c. 1974
Ani Glaros
February 7, 2016
Although it has been many years since I saw Bob he is an indelible part of my memories. Through high school and as young adults he was a good friend. We shared a love of music and writing--I won't forget him. Condolences to Suzy and surviving family and friends.
Ani Glaros
Patti Rubio
February 3, 2016
I will love and miss you forever!
Rita Ross
February 2, 2016
So sorry for your loss Suzy. I always loved it when you came to the Commercial in Elko. There is no music there anymore and our group is no more. I think "Frisco" was our favorite group. Bill and I have moved to the Boise, Idaho area. Take care Suzy. You are in our prayers.
Richard Cheney
February 2, 2016
May the road rise to meet you.
May the wind be always at your back.
May the sunshine warm upon your face.
May the rains fall upon your fields.
And until we meet again,
May God hold you in the hollow of His hand.
February 2, 2016
Our sincere condolences to the whole family.
Keeping all of you in our thoughts and prayers,
Diusca and Shepard Smith
Michael Cheney
February 1, 2016
From Bob's Facebook, Feburary 1, 2016
Ava J Bellomy Friends with Bob Cheney
Thank you for posting this beautiful piece.
To the family; I'm so sorry for your loss.
I considered Bob the brother I never had. I am an idiot for never telling him that. I miss him already.
Michael Cheney
As we get older, we learn that lesson, don't wait to tell someone how much they mean to you.
Luckily for me, our last conversations were good ones, about his choice for following music.
Imagine, Bob goes into a bar (it could happen), the owner says "Show up at 8 o'clock, get up on that stage, play your guitar, we will get you a bite to eat & something to drink, at the end of the night I will pay you."
This was manna from heaven to my brother, he never looked back.
Uncle Bob making a face for 7-year-old me (taking the picture). This was the same face Grandpa always made for my camera too. :)
Jenai May
February 1, 2016
Uncle Bob and Aunt Suzy's wedding. So much love...
Jenai May
February 1, 2016
Shared by "Marsha" on Facebook (thank you!)
Jenai May
February 1, 2016
Shared by "Marsha" on Facebook... (thank you so much!)
Jenai May
February 1, 2016
Susan Reesink Black
February 1, 2016
I knew Bob in Junior High and at Lincoln High School in San Francisco. He was always friendly and fun. I didn't know he became an accomplished musician. Making music in Heaven now! RIP Bob.
Michael Cheney
February 1, 2016
It has me upset, grew up with him, shared a room for 16 years shared life, for good & bad.
Spent his career playing music, got bit by the 'Hippie' bug, even lived right off Haight Street for a while. Literally, it would be 10's of Thousands that heard him play proffesionally over the decades. Bringing joy into peoples lives 'counts'!
His little Brother,
Mike
Shelly Martsch
February 1, 2016
I met Bob and Suzy when I was playing music on the road many years ago. Their warmth and friendship helped me through many a night. My thoughts and prayers are with Suzy, and all of Bob's family. Please take comfort in the fact that amazing spirits like Bob never truly leave us - they simply take on a different form. Love you Suze, and please take care of yourself. Shelly Martsch - One of the Two of Us
Michael Cheney
February 1, 2016
Amen From his Facebook
'...Kathryn Hackett Bales Friends with Bob Cheney
My late husband and I always made a point of listening to Bob & Suzy whenever they came to Elko. We even drove to Las Cruces, NM once while they were there. We actually were visiting our grand daughters, but were able to arrange our schedule appropriately. They were so versatile, and many of their arrangements were better than the originals. Their talent and friendliness will be missed by fans all over the country. Even my service dog enjoyed listening to them. I'd ask if she wanted to go see Bob & Suzy, and she would run to bring me her harness. You know you have talent when a dog is one of your greatest fans!...'
Bob in all his Rock & Roll glory
Michael Cheney
January 31, 2016
Paul Kantner & my Brother Bob Cheney died on the same day. Kindred spirits, both born & raised in San Francisco, both decided music would be their life.
Hard to expain, you had to be there, at that time you were either in a group or listening to your favorites. Forming rock bands spread like wildfire, all over the City family garages were turned into 'practice session' destinations. It did not take long for many a household to ban them, producing a short list of 'my parents both work' destinations.
Attending local rock concerts (Jefferson Airplane, Grateful Dead, Janis Joplin, etc etc) was like pouring gasoline on a fire, next week more bands formed hoping for a chance. People came from all over the country, sharing apartments in the Haight, stacked as high well.. lets just say high.
Bob had success, '90 Weight' became the house band at 'The Last Day Saloon' & 'Peirce Street Annex'. Based on the number of musicians vying for the chance, it was a big deal.
'90 Weight' shared a weekend bill with Elvin Bishop at Berkley's 'Keystone'. Bob & his band blew Mr. Bishop off the stage Friday night Saturday night "ELVIN BISHOP!" showed up... and put on a clinic.
His little Brother,
Mike
Bill & Rita Ross
January 31, 2016
Suzy - So very sorry to hear of Bob's passing. Our thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of mourning.
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