Robert Doxey

1934 - 2018

Robert John Doxey

Surrounded by his family, Robert John Doxey, age 84, died peacefully in San Francisco on October 20, 2018 after a brief illness. Born in July 1934 in Ogden, Utah, Robert was the youngest of three children of Clifford and Estelle Doxey, both school teachers. After completing a business degree at the University of Utah in 1956, he served as a lieutenant in the U.S. Air Force at Maxwell AFB in Montgomery, Alabama. He later described his main accomplishments in the Air Force as "vastly improving my tennis, and eating and drinking well at a very plush officers club."

Eager for new horizons, Robert moved to San Francisco after completing his military obligation, where mutual friends introduced him to the love of his life, Verne Stukan. Bob and Verne, a UCSF nurse at that time, married in December 1959.

Robert (widely known as Dox) began a long and successful career in investment banking in the late 1950s, starting at Bank of America's government bond department. Always keen to break with convention, he convinced his B of A bosses to grant a six-month leave in 1962. He and Verne used that time for their first travels in Europe, a formative experience for both of them. Until his death, he enjoyed recalling their stay in Ibiza, where they owned one of the island's only two cars, and other stories from an adventure that sparked lifelong passion for European travel.

Robert stayed with Bank of America until 1974, when he moved on to Crocker Bank's bond department. A few years later, he launched a private investment firm, Doxey, Williams & Company with long-time colleague Rick Williams. He later formed another firm, Wagner, Doxey & Company with long-time business partner Warren Wagner. Wagner, Doxey was for many years the only broker-dealer in the 12th Federal Reserve district that specialized in U.S. Treasury securities, and this unusual, focused investment strategy was rewarding for the firm's clients on a regular basis.

Through 60 years in San Francisco's Financial District, Robert was a sharp dresser who ate lunch reliably at Tadich and Sam's. He rode a MUNI bus to work early each morning and walked back home to Presidio Heights or Cow Hollow most afternoons, often visiting art galleries on the way. In recent years, he whiled away many an afternoon at Caffe Trieste.

Robert is remembered by his family and friends for his generosity, intelligence, loyalty and modesty. His passions included modern art, opera, hiking in the Sierra Nevada and Swiss Alps, walks in the Presidio and care-free explorations of car-free Venice. He loved his family, adored his grandchildren and wanted nothing more than the happiness of those around him.

He was a fine athlete, an independent thinker and a talented painter who worked diligently to hone his craft and evolve new styles. He opposed war, supported equality and abhorred pretense. Even in later years he could be found sweeping the sidewalk, washing his car or painting a hallway. Rather than collect wine, he much preferred drinking it.

He was in tune with local fruit seasons and for the past 50 years never missed the Alemany Farmer's Market on Saturday mornings unless out of town. Among his proudest achievements, Robert helped launch Sterne School in 1976, and he designed a lovely Lake Tahoe vacation home near Homewood in the early 1970s.

Robert is survived by his wife, Verne, their two children, John and Nicholas, his brother Donald, his sister Joan Hadley and two grandchildren, Jack and Kate. A memorial service will take place in San Francisco at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Sterne School (www.sterneschool.org), attention development director.