Robert Everett Allari

1936 - 2015

Robert Everett Allari has finished playing the "back nine" and golf has lost its number 1 fan! Robert passed away peacefully in his sleep on Jan. 22, 2015, after suffering a stroke on Jan. 13, 2015. He was 78 years old. A "Walter Mitty" type, Robert did many things during his lifetime: He played professional football (Washington Redskins) and was in the construction business. He built and owned Comstock Golf Course, in Davis, California. He was a professional golfer and golf club designer, working with Ben Hogan, Richard Parente and Dick DelaCruz (to name a few), and he knew Karston Solheim and Ely Callaway. He was the golf pro for "The Rat Pack." Robert was an actor, working with Cameron Mitchell in the TV series "High Chaparral." He was a restaurant manager (Mr. Stox and Maxwell's, among others). However, golf was the love of his life. Robert played in two Masters tournaments and two U.S. Open tournaments. A fifth generation Californian, he was born in San Francisco on June 26, 1936. As a youngster, he, Kenny Venturi and George Archer used to sneak in—barefoot—to Ken's dad's golf course in the late afternoons. After working at Los Altos Country Club, Robert migrated to Southern California to pursue both acting and golf. A superb teacher, he worked with Jerry Barber, Jimmy Powell, Paul Runyon and Phil Rodgers, among others, at golf courses like: Wilshire Country Club, Yorba Linda Country Club, Newport Beach Country Club and La Jolla Country Club. He played "high stake" games with Mickey Wright and Gary McCord, to name a few. At La Jolla, he helped pick out golf clothes for Howard Hughes. Robert was best man at "Champagne," Tony Lema's second marriage. Robert and David Schultz still hold the record for matches won at Rancho San Joaquin, in Irvine, California, as well as the most "Rob Roys" drunk. His golf club repair skills and golf club collection are second to none. Robert played golf with almost any golf pro you can name (Palmer, Nicklaus, Player, and Hogan) and had stories to tell about each and everyone. Robert has finished playing "18 holes" and he enjoyed it all, even the 3 putts. Robert is survived by his wife, Nancy Allari, of Corona del Mar, California; his daughter, Wendy Allari, of Seattle; granddaughter Ryean Allari; and his brother, Ron Allari, of Alexandria, Kentucky. There will be a golf-oriented "Celebration of Life" service, later in the year, at a date to be determined. At that time everyone can tell his or her favorite Robert Allari stories. Donations in Robert Allari's honor may be sent to: The First Tee, 425 S. Legacy Trail, St. Augustine, FL 32092, or at www.thefirsttee.org.

To view and sign this guestbook, please visit: desertsun.com/obituaries