Robert Pierce

Funeral information

Home: Napa, CA Place of Birth: San Francisco, CA
Date of Death: February 3, 2010 Birthdate: March 16, 1945
Age: 64

Service information: Monday, February 08, 2010 1:00 PM First Christian Church, Napa, CA

Visitation: Saturday, February 06, 2010 at Tulocay Funeral Home, Napa, CA; Sunday, February 07, 2010 at Tulocay Funeral Home, Napa, CA

Biography

ROBERT J. PIERCE
1945-2010

Robert J. (Bob) Pierce was born in San Francisco and reared in Napa. He attended Napa public schools and The Principia Upper School, St. Louis, MO, returning to graduate from Napa Senior High School in 1963. He attended Napa Junior College and the University of Denver in Denver, Colorado, where he majored in General Business and became a member of Phi Kappa Sigma Fraternity. After completing his professional course of study at San Francisco College of Mortuary Science, Bob passed the State of California Funeral Directors Examination and, following the required apprenticeship term, received his State of California Embalmers License. On an ongoing basis, he participated in numerous continuing education classes, product information education sessions and professional seminars.

A second-generation funeral service professional, he has more than 40 years experience in funeral service; including 20 years chief executive officer of Richard Pierce Funeral Service, the family firm, which had a heritage of continuous service to Napa County and the surrounding area since 1863. In 1997, Bob affiliated the family business with Stewart Enterprises, Inc. For 7 years, he served as COO of the Northern Region as well as Vice President of the Western Division for the Company. The Northern Region included 36 mortuaries, cemeteries and crematories between Bakersfield, CA. and Lynnwood, WA. His position was eliminated in November of 2003, when along with 300 other positions, the Northern Region Office was closed. In March of 2004, Bob and his business partner repurchased Richard Pierce Funeral Service and also purchased the former Chapel of the Chimes-Napa Valley Memorial Park and Cemetery, renaming the facility Inspiration Chapel and Napa Valley Memorial Park.

His background in California funeral services includes working in Tulare, Brentwood and Burbank, in addition to 34 years with Richard Pierce Funeral Service and 7 years with Stewart Enterprises. He conducted instruction and review seminars throughout California on funeral service Laws, Rules, Regulations and Practices for interested parties and prospective funeral service licensees. Additionally, he was an expert witness and advisor in a variety of funeral profession litigation cases.

Bob is a past president of the Redwood Empire Funeral Directors Association and was elected in 1990 to the California Funeral Directors Association Board of Directors. In 1996, he was elected as a line officer of CFDA and has served as Sergeant-at-Arms, Secretary and Treasure. He served as chair of the CFDA Membership, Ethics and Service Committee as well as the Legislative and Regulatory Affairs Committee and the Political Action Committee. In 1991, he was elected to the Board of Directors of Funeral Directors Service Corporation (FDSC is a wholly owned, for profit, subsidiary of CFDA which operates the California Master Trust, a $60 million Before Need Funeral Trust Fund). In 2003, Bob concluded his term as President of FDSC, a position to which he was elected in 1994. He was an associate member of the Los Angeles County Funeral Directors Association, and a member of the National Funeral Directors Association and the International Cemetery and Funeral Association.

He was elected to the Board of Trustees of the Pauze' Funds in April of 1996. The Pauze' Funds were a group of Mutual Funds specializing in providing an appropriate investment strategy for Pre-Need Funeral and Cemetery Trusts. He concluded his term in 2001.

As a 20-year commercial hot air balloon pilot, Bob for many years owned and operated "Aerostat Renaissance" and "Above It All," two hot air balloon companies which had fleets of six balloons. They provided commercial event promotions, balloon excursions and hot air balloon pilot instruction, as well as background staging for photographic layouts in the western half of the Continental USA. He was a member of the Balloon Federation of America, the Bay Area Aeronauts Society, and a founding member of the Professional Balloon Pilots Association of Napa County.

Bob has been active in many community, fraternal, civic, service and charitable organizations over the years. He was on the Board of Directors of the Northern California Lung Association, and served for many years as Chair of the Credit Committee for First Napa Federal Community Credit Union (now Redwood Credit Union). For more than 5 years he served as chair of the Project Area Committee, a citizens' advisory group to the Napa City Redevelopment Agency. Bob is a 40-year member of Yount Lodge No. 12, F. &A.M. of Napa and a 32nd degree Mason, who has been involved in various other Masonic organizations, including Napa Chapter Order of DeMolay, for which he was a former Chapter Advisor and to which he belonged as a youth. He was a former member of the Napa Scholastic Association. His involvement with the service clubs took him through the Napa Active 20-30 International, liaison to WOCO (World Council of Service Clubs). He was also a Charter Member of the North Napa Rotary Club. For many years Bob was on the Board of Directors of the Napa Valley College foundation and also served as their secretary. He also served on the Board of Directors of the Boys and Girls Club of Napa Valley and was a member of the Napa Valley Country Club.

Bob is survived by his mother, Edith Pierce; daughters, Chelsea (Jason) Woolf, and Courtney Pierce; granddaughter, Amelia Woolf; nieces, Merri Lee Pierce and Jill Pierce Abbajay; cousin, Glenn Bookout and great-nephew, Tony Simons.

Service will be on Monday, February 8, 2010 at 1:00pm at First Christian Church, 2659 First Street, Napa. Visitation will be on Saturday February 6 from 10am-5pm and Sunday February 7 from 12pm-5pm at Tulocay Funeral Home, 411 Coombsville Road.
Memorial Contributions may be made to the Boys and Girls Club of Napa Valley. Words of sympathy may be sent to the family on-line at WWW.TULOCAYCEMETERY.ORG.



Ron White, Azusa February 5, 2010
Sorry to learn of Bob's death; being his same age this passing is a clear reminder we all share that inevitable destiny. We enjoyed many positive times within CFDA. Sincerest condolences to his mother, daughters and family.

Phil Sprick February 5, 2010
I will miss Bob. He was a neat guy. I remember that a few days after Hurricane Katrina, he took the time to find me so he could offer his assistance to the Stewart management team. Bob was back running his own business again, so he surely didn't have free time. But he knew we were in a bind and he wanted us to know he would help. I had an opportunity to speak with Bob a few months ago. It was clear that he knew we were saying our goodbye, and he told me he was at peace with his illness and his life. I send my heartfelt condolences to his family. I know you will miss him. Phil Sprick

George and Judy February 5, 2010
Our fond memories of our good times and travels with Bob and Sandee will always be in our hearts. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family that were so dear to him, especially his mother Edith. George and Judy Prather

McCune Garden Chapel February 5, 2010
The staff at McCune Garden Chapel would like to express our deepest condolences to the Pierce family. Mr. Pierce was a great man and will be sorely missed by all who knew him.

Mindy Jordan February 5, 2010
Hello. I am sorry to hear of the family's loss of Bob. I went to school with him at Alta Heights and Napa High. He was a nice man. A few hears ago I saw him at an auto shop and he was very gracious and polite to me even though we didn't know each other very well. He is missed.

Sharon Somogyi February 5, 2010
My heart and prayers go out to Bob's family. Bob touched many lives with his generous spirit and the love he felt and shared within the Napa community. I truly appreciated the support and friendship Bob offered to me when we met while I was as an employee of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Napa Valley. A true motivator, giver and friend.

Mike & Linda Moreland February 5, 2010
Our thoughts and prayers are with you Edith and other family members in the loss of your loved one.

Lon Tanner February 5, 2010
Having worked for Richard Pierce Funeral Service from 1959 to 1964 I have fond memories of the Pierce family and Bob in particular. I am glad that I was able to visit him in Napa three year ago. My positive thoughts are with his mother Edith.

Russell Risbeck February 5, 2010
I just want to say Bob was indeed a great Man. I know him for Many Years. He was a true Gentleman. I Work at Napa Valley Club,Where he was a Member. Bob would always take the time to look for me and say hi. I really enjoyed talking with him.He was such a caring person I really going to Miss him. Russell Risbeck Russell Risbeck

Cynthia Curtis Bonelli February 5, 2010
Bobby, childhood neighbor and friend! So many years shared, so many memories, then we grew up and apart living our separate lives as adults. Meeting at somber events throughout the years the time would vanish and we would again become childhood friends. No longer neighbors, but always friends. My heart goes out to Edith and the rest of his family. The community has lost a truly generous and loving man. We are all better for having known Bob and now may he rest in peace.

Noreen A. Hanna February 5, 2010
The Napa Community has lost one of God's Angels walking on earth. His care and support of families and friends who had lost a loved one never wavered. I hope my prayers for Edith and family help them today and in days to come.

Chuck and Debbe Dreher February 5, 2010
We had the privilege of knowing and loving Bob for over 20 years. Debbe worked closely with Bob in his years as President of FDSC and appreciated his clear mind, his eloquent speech and his leadership. In more recent years, we shared a friendship built on trust and I appreciated his good counsel and his caring heart. Our condolences to his family and loved ones.

Betty Young-McIntire February 5, 2010
Jim and I have been fortunate to spend time with Bob over the last many, many years. The memories of our visits, phone chats, meetings and notes will always remain with me. I am so fortunate to have known Bob and to be his friend. Our thoughts and love are with the famiy. I send a hug to you. Betty & Jim

Lew & Delma Lee Rogers February 6, 2010
Our thoughts and prayers are with you and the family Edith. Bob was a caring and loving man and he will be missed.

John Graham February 6, 2010
Bobby Pierce was one of my most beloved students, a very happy fifth grader at Lincoln Elementary School. Through the years we saw one another quite often; I always had a special warm feeling for him. As he became a young man, he continued to be that talented, admirable and happy businessman. So many of us will miss him. Blessings.

Jane (Sarah's Mom) February 6, 2010
So sorry to hear about your Dad. Courtney - we are thinking about you and your family.

Patrick Memmott February 6, 2010
My deepest condolences to your family and loved ones. My family and I have been blessed enough to have known Bob for a long time. I have a memory of Bob from very early in my life; as he was the one who consoled me when I was 6 years old when my great-aunt had passed. He kept me company while my family said their goodbyes. He was a great and kind-hearted man...and the world is shinning a little less brightly now that he has gone. My blessings to your family and loved ones.

John and Mary Ann Charlesworth February 6, 2010
Our deepest sympathy to Edith and all the Pierce family. We knew Bob for many years and had great liking and respect for him. We are glad he is no longer suffering. May God bless him and the whole family.

The Profitt Family February 7, 2010
Just wanted to let the Pierce Family know that our thoughts and prayers are with you at this difficult time. We were very blessed to have Bob in our family, he was a very loving, caring, loyal, and genuine man. We are lucky to have known Bob and had him involved in our life at one time. We again will always remember Bob for the great person he was to us, and our children. We are happy that you are not suffering anymore and that you are finally in a wonderful place where u belong, and are not burdened with any more pain or problems. You will be greatly missed, and never forgotten.

Sandee Pierce February 8, 2010
Bob, I am so thankful you lived life during the last year and "fit retirement" into one year. Such a short time, but you did it with gusto. ~Bob~ A kinder man you'll never find, He's gentle and he's strong Whenever there's a problem He's going to "fix it" for that's what he does He makes life so calm and serene Other mundane things come alive To see those things with wonder Is like a child coming alive. Thank you for all the years we had together, I will always treasure them and keep them in my heart. Love, Sandee ♥♥♥

Jim & Margo Holland February 8, 2010
Bob & I went to High School together and played a little golf. He was a very kind, funny & caring person. Unfortunately, he had to take care of too many of my relatives but no one could have done a better job. We will all miss Bob more than words can express. Our hearts & prayers go out to his entire family. God bless you all.

Bill Vlcek February 8, 2010
Bob was my partner in braving the golf links in wind, rain, heat or frost. He was also a clinet of ARC for which I worked for 9 years. Bob was a true gentleman, thoughtful, dedicated and very astute. He will be missed. Bill Vlcek Shepherd of the Valley Church Phoenix, Arizona

Ian McIvor and family February 8, 2010
You will be sadly missed my friend. God bless and God speed. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family.

Sharon Vail February 9, 2010
My condolances to the family. Bob was a kind man.

Bobi Kress February 25, 2010
Bob was fun to be around, even during a time of sorrow. I'll always remember how comforting he was when I lost my grandmother, Florence Marean and later my uncle, Al Wurz. My sincere sympathies to his family. Bobi Kress