Bob Vanderspek, age 76, passed away on April 6, 2022, in Nashville, TN, surrounded by his loving family. Bob is survived by his wife, Mary Moran; his sister Kit Vanderspek and her husband David Franc; his mother Karin Vanderspek; his brother Roland Vanderspek, sister-in-law Corinna, niece Anna, and nephew Jan Vanderspek; his cousin Jean Severson and her husband Charlie; sister-in-law Kathy Moran Trentini, her husband Rolando, and family, his nephews John Diekhoff and wife Alison and his nephew Andrew Diekhoff and dogs Harlow and Ella.
Bob was born in Berkeley, CA, to John and Greta Vanderspek (née Young). After serving in Vietnam, he graduated from the California State University at Fullerton and moved to Tennessee in 1976, where he held a long career at the Department of Mental Health. In 2004, he made what his family considers the best decision of his life and married Mary Moran. After retiring in 2007, he worked as a lifeguard at the Green Hills YMCA.
Bob was a loving, loyal, generous, and mischievous husband, brother, son, uncle, and friend. He loved a good adventure, from hitchhiking through Europe in his youth to hiking in Hawaii after his wedding, but mostly he loved just being with the people he loved - who most of all just loved just being with him. He loved surfing, fishing, working on projects around the house, researching and writing about his family history, and spoiling his dogs. He will be very sorely missed by a small army of family, friends, and colleagues all over the country and the world.
A gathering of family and friends will be held from twelve noon until one o'clock in the afternoon on Saturday, April 30, at Woodlawn-Roesch-Patton Funeral Home.
A memorial service will be held at one o'clock in the afternoon (CDT) on Saturday, April 30, at Woodlawn-Roesch-Patton Funeral Home 660 Thompson Lane, Nashville, TN 37204. The service will also be broadcast live @Woodlawn-Roesch on Facebook, for family and friends who cannot attend.
In lieu of flowers, please make a memorial contribution to the American Cancer Society, Bonaparte's Retreat Nashville - Dog Rescue, or Alive Hospice Nashville.
