Robert Gerald Dease

Robert Gerald Dease, 88, of Pacific Grove, California, passed away peacefully on Sunday, September 28, 2014 in the place he loved most... home. He was born in Herman, Minnesota to Joseph Antoine Alfred and Lucy Gertrude Mary Gaffney Dease. He lived most of his life in the cities of Minneapolis, New York, Los Angeles and Pacific Grove.

Robert, aka Bob, was a self-educated man who earned his “PhD in Life”. Besides devoting his love and time to his wife and family, Bob enjoyed renovating his California Ranch Style home in North Hollywood and his Victorian home in Pacific Grove. He also enjoyed listening to music, “dancing with the stars”, architectural design, watching military TV documentaries, antiquing, researching consumer reports, and listening to others.

Bob was a gentle, loving, devoted husband to Norma, his wife of 68 years, whom he married in Mount Vernon, New York in 1946. Bob was also an extremely loving, patient, gentle, wise, and intelligent father who was extremely proud of his son, Robert Dease Jr. of Mendocino, CA and his three daughters, Barbara Kloss and her husband Randy, of Bellingham, WA, Melanie Dease of Mendocino, CA, and Cindy Brynan and her husband Jeff, of Beverly Hills, CA. He is also survived by his four special grandchildren, David, Danielle, Alexandru, and Jaime; as well as his loving sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law, nieces, nephews and dear friends.

After serving his country as a Merchant Marine in WWII, Bob met Norma in New York City as Dale Dance Studio Instructors. After marriage, his career branched into many directions. He founded, owned, and operated a small chain of retail service establishments; was an Account Executive in advertising serving Max Factor, the Purex Corporation, Loretta Young, and Jayne Mansfield; and was a Management Consultant for the Federal Bureau of Indian Affairs, Prisons, and Departments of Rehabilitation, Social Services, and Mental Health. In fact, Bob was listed in “Who’s Who in Consulting” and was quoted on the front page of the Wall Street Journal on several occasions. In addition, Bob was Governor Deumejian's first appointee to the Prison Industry Authorities Board as a Commissioner of California.

In the private sector, Bob was a staff consultant for Control Data and responsible for the development and implementation of projects and programs within Civilian government agencies. He participated in community activities as a Vice Chairman in the Economic Development Task Force, President of the Pacific Grove Heritage Society and Board Member of the Architectural Review Board, Building Standards Committee, and 1989 Centennial Committee.

Although Bob was faced with many medical challenges during the last phase of his retirement, he always had a great sense of humor, positive attitude, and appreciation for life’s offerings. He was admired and respected by all. The family celebrated Bob’s life in a private ceremony at home, honoring all of his special achievements and especially his love and devotion to family. While his loss is mourned, he will remain in our hearts, memories, and souls forever. Since Bob was proud of his Irish heritage, his family dedicates this old Irish Blessing to him:

REMEMBERED JOY

Don't grieve for me, for now I'm free!

I follow the plan God laid for me.

I saw His face, I heard His call,

I took His hand and left it all...

I could not stay another day,

To love, to laugh, to work or play;

Tasks left undone must stay that way.

And if my parting has left a void,

Then fill it with remembered joy.

A friendship shared, a laugh, a kiss...

Ah yes, these things I, too, shall miss.

My life's been full, I've savoured much:

Good times, good friends, a loved-one's touch.

Perhaps my time seemed all too brief—

Don't shorten yours with undue grief.

Be not burdened with tears of sorrow,

Enjoy the sunshine of the morrow.