Robert "Bob" Giardina

1932 - 2022

Robert "Bob" Giardina
May 11, 1932 - October 26, 2022
Bob was born to Vito and Marguerite Girdaina in Napa, CA, in 1932 Bob grew up in Napa and lived much of his life in the Bay Area. Bob attended, and graduated from, Napa High School in 1951. While at Napa High, Bob was a varsity athlete in football, basketball, baseball, and swimming. Bob attended Napa College, where he also played football, and went on to the University of the Pacific where he graduated in 1956 with a degree in education. Upon graduation, Bob applied to, and was accepted to, Officers Canidate School for the USMC and upon completion of OCS Bob was commissioned as a Secon Lieutenant where he served on active-duty for three years. Upon completion of active-duty, Bob served in the USMC reserves wher he eventually retired at the rank of Major. Bob returned to UOP after active-duty and completed the work that would earn him a Master's Degree in Education. He began his teaching and coaching career at Liberty High School in Brentwood, CA. In 1962 Bob transferred to Ygnacio Valley High School in Concord, CA, where he coached and taught until his retirement 32 years later. Bob coached track at Ygnacio where in 1968 he was named the Diablo Valley Athletic League Coach of the Year. Some of the records that his track athletes set for; high jump, long jump, 12lb shot put, and the mile, are still standing after 50 years. In 2015 Bob was inducted int the Ygnacio Valley athletic Hall of Fame.
Bob was preceeded in death by his wife of 34 years, Sharon, and by his son Christopher, and is survived by his daughter Dana, stepdaughters Susan and Tricia, and by his grandchildren Jessica and Sebastian.