Robert Wang

Robert Wang
October 8, 2023
Bob "Robert" Wang, 76, of San Diego County, California died on October 8,2023 at Queen of the Valley Medical Center in Napa Valley after sustaining a head injury related to an unknown medical event. He was surrounded by family who loved him.
Bob Wang was born on July 18, 1947 to mother Wei Cheng and father Shaw Kai at California Pacific Medical Center in San Francisco, CA. He often said he was a curious and energetic kid who roamed the city of San Francisco when there were still vacant lots to explore. His energy served him well as an all-city basketball player at Washington High School. He went on to University of California, Berkeley where he received his BA Biochemistry. In his Junior year of college he married Kate Soo Ju, also from San Francisco. Bob was offered a fellowship and graduate school admission at University of California, Riverside where he and Kate moved in 1969 welcoming their first son, Jonathan in 1970.
Bob received his PhD in biochemistry and went on to a long career in biotech and pharmaceutical research. His close colleagues regarded him as efficient, "top notch in every way," a solid leader and "incredible mentor." In 1980, while working with Hybritech, Bob put together the 1st FDA approved monoclonal antibody testing system. In the later part of his career, Bob helped start The Center for Bio/Pharmaceutical and Biodevice development at San Diego State University, a regulatory affairs Masters degree program where he was a tenured professor.
While Bob enjoyed his work, family was unequivocally the center of his life. Bob and Kate welcomed their second son, Richard in 1974 and they adopted their beloved daughter Kathryn (Katy) from Taiwan in 1978. A loving and dedicated dad, Bob coached and cheered for his kids' soccer, baseball, basketball and swimming teams and was active in his church community. His athleticism remained into adulthood and he was fiercely competitive. Always a calm and solid presence, Bob was a sought out mentor for many nieces, nephews and cousins on all sides of his immediate and extended family.
As Bob and Kate's children began to marry and have their own children, Kate developed Fronto-temporal Lobar Degeneration, which is a progressive dementia that can strike adults in mid-life. Through the progression of her illness, Bob cared for Kate with abiding love, compassion, and became an expert in the disease, founding and maintaining his own website as a resource to family, caregivers, and patients afflicted with FTLD. Still, amidst these life-altering challenges, Bob remained a present and loving grandfather to his 6 grandchildren. After his beloved Kate died on September 17, 2010, Bob lived with his son and daughter-in-law, Rich and Joanne with his grandchildren in San Diego, and made many trips to visit family in San Francisco. He also spent time in South Lake Tahoe, channeling his energy into roofing and siding projects at a family vacation home where he had many fond memories.
In 2012, Bob wondered aloud if he might try dating again. With his daughter-in-law's enthusiastic encouragement, he made an online dating profile and met Michele Alexander. Both understood the pain of losing a spouse prematurely and shared a love of family. They were married at a wedding ceremony in Napa in 2017 attended by friends and family, including Bob and Michele's children and grandchildren. They lived together happily in Mission Viejo, California where they worked on home renovations, enjoyed travel to Hawaii, Italy, and Spain, and had an active social life. They also spent countless hours driving up and down I-5 visiting family in Napa and San Francisco and during these 12 years, Bob became a beloved father-in-law and grandfather to Michele's children and grandchildren.
On September 30, 2023, Bob and Michele made their anticipated move to Napa, CA where they planned to purchase a home close to their Bay Area family. He was looking forward to spending time at his favorite Chinese restaurants in the city, new DIY projects, and living near his grandchildren in wine country. We are heartbroken that our time with him was cut short.
Bob was predeceased by his wife, Kate in 2010, his mother, Wei Cheng in 2014, and his father Shaw Kai in 2019.
He is survived by his wife, Michele Alexander, his sister, Mimi Lowe, his children, Jonathan, Richard, and Kathryn, his daughter-in-laws Heather and Joanne, his grandchildren Andrew, Noah, Rachel, Joshua, Sophie, and Bex, his step-children Erin, Evan and Cobin, and his step-grandchildren, Tate, Luca, Quinn, Blythe, and Lila, along with with countless nieces, nephews, and other family that adored him.
A life celebration/memorial is being planned for a later date.
In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to the Association for Fronto Temporal Lobar Degeneration at https://www.theaftd.org.