Robert Harmon

1930 - 2017

Robert Lee Harmon

Robert "Bob" Harmon passed away on Monday, December 18th, 2017, in Kentfield, California at the age of eighty-seven. Bob will be forever in the hearts of his wife, Meg; his ex-wife Ginger; his four children: Grant (his wife Linda); Mark (his wife Kimberley); Cristina; Tim (his wife Stacy); and his seven grandchildren: Hailey, Elizabeth, Trevor, Henry, Justin, Blake and Giselle.

Born and raised in Bakersfield, California with modest means by his single mother Dorothy after the untimely death of his father, Bob developed the character as a young man which he would demonstrate throughout his life. In those early years, Bob worked hard in school, sports and in many part time jobs to support himself. He always showed great optimism, energy and was gracious and generous to others.

Bob attended the local public schools in Bakersfield. In high school, he gained the admiration and trust of his fellow student body to be elected Student Body President. He went on to be elected Boy Governor of California from the delegation of the 1947 Boy's State Convention in Sacramento, California.

Bob's education continued at Stanford University, where he earned three varsity letters in wrestling and graduated with high honors. Bob then attended Stanford Law School, and while studying law he served as coach of the Stanford Wrestling Team. Bob also received a diploma in law from Oxford University, which he attended as a Stanford Scholar.

Bob started his law career at the law firm of Covington & Burling in Washington, D.C., before returning to his native California to practice law as a partner at Graham & James in San Francisco. In 1970, he decided to devote his business career to real estate development, and he would create the business enterprises, resorts and restaurants, using his creative and entrepreneurial talents, for which he will be forever known and remembered.

Bob took his discerning eye to pioneer the development of award winning resort real estate in the West and Hawaii. His first endeavors included the Tahoe Tavern at Lake Tahoe, which was awarded the Certificate of Excellence from the State of California; Chinquapin and Cedar Point at Lake Tahoe, and Kiahuna Plantation on the Island of Kauai.

As Bob's success in real estate development grew, he founded the iconic restaurant and hotel in Napa Valley, Auberge du Soleil, with his dear friend Claude Rouas. In 1981, Rouas opened the famed restaurant on the property, pioneering the innovative and extraordinary dining experiences of the Napa Valley. Bob soon after developed the Auberge du Soleil property, to include fifty ultra-luxury hotel guest cottages, a world renowned spa and its signature style of guest service: relaxed yet sophisticated. The Auberge du Soleil became, and still is, one of the most highly regarded and critically acclaimed small luxury hotels in the world.

In 1984, Bob founded, again with his friend Claude Rouas, Piatti Restaurant Company to create a popular Italian restaurant concept first in Napa Valley, and then expanding over the years throughout California, Washington, Colorado, and Texas.

In 1998, Bob founded and served for many years as Chairman of Auberge Resorts, which provides management expertise and delivers the highest standards of excellence for small luxury hotels across the globe. Auberge Resorts Collection today is internationally recognized as one of the top hotel brands in the world.

In addition to his passion for gracious hospitality, Bob loved Porsche automobiles, which led him to a successful amateur race car driving career. In 1968, his first year of racing, he won the inaugural endurance race at Sears Point Raceway, now Sonoma Raceway. For several years following, he drove competitively as an amateur in professional races at Laguna Seca, Watkins Glen, Daytona, Sebring, and Le Mans.

Bob's compassion and concern for others was demonstrated in his political endeavors. Bob was an active leader in the Democratic Party, serving as a member of many local, state, and national Democratic Campaign Committees. In 1968 and 1972, Bob was elected and served as a California Delegate to the Democratic National Presidential Convention.

Bob will be forever remembered by his family, close friends, colleagues, and people he touched through his love, enthusiasm and energy, as a kind, considerate, and compassionate man. He saw the best in each and every person. And as a result he brought out the best in everyone around him. Bob was fair, thoughtful, and unconditionally generous to all. Above all else, Bob loved his family. He inspired his family and so many others with his magnanimous and always considerate and thoughtful character.

In remembrance of our beloved Bob, the family asks that in lieu of flowers, gifts can be made in his honor to the Napa Valley Community Disaster Relief Fund to benefit the victims of the Northern California Wildfires.