R. Nick Trombetta

November 12, 1925 – August 19, 2021

On August 19, 2021, our beloved R. Nick Trombetta bid farewell to this world, and entered the next. A true Renaissance Man, Nick was a success in many endeavors….businessman, investor, pilot, gemologist, jewelry designer, race car driver (having built his own Formula Vee class car), motorcycle enthusiast, ocean going sailboat captain, and hypnotherapist. He was most proud of the leaded glass windows he designed and commissioned for St. Luke’s Episcopal Church on Mt. Vernon Avenue.

Ralph Nicholas Trombetta was born November 12, 1925 in Chicago, Illinois to his Italian immigrant father Ralph Trombetta and American mother Anna Peacher Trombetta. He attended Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois and Knox College in Galesburg, Illinois where he studied aeronautical engineering, physics and math.

In 1943, Nick joined the US Army Air Corps and trained as a flight engineer on the B29 Super Fortress, attaining the rank of 2nd Lieutenant. His various assignments took him to many places, including Bakersfield. Upon discharge from the military at the end of WWII, Nick made his home in Bakersfield to raise his family.

Nick’s working life spanned decades…much of it spent in the cotton industry with Jess Smith & Sons where he became a partner, served as Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, and board member. He also served as President and board member of the Central Cotton Warehouse, Inc. (part of Jess Smith & Sons). In 1976, Nick also became a partner in Pruett Wireline Service and in 1980, he formed his own company, Nick Trombetta Enterprises.

Nick’s passion for community service is evidenced by his support for the Italian Heritage Dante Association and Foundation (served as President), the Guild House benefiting the Henrietta Weill Memorial Child Guidance Center, Stars Theater, a longtime member of the Bakersfield Museum of Art sponsoring their annual Via Arte Italian Street Painting and his past membership in Rotary International. On May 23, 2019, the Guild House held a special event to honor Nick’s unwavering support since the tea room opened in 1963. A California state resolution honoring Nick’s service was presented by the Honorable Senator Shannon Grove.

Nick’s life truly personified the poem, The Dash. His ‘dash’ was full and meaningful. Looking back, he would be ‘very pleased’ to know the impact he had on the lives of so many. For many who knew him, Nick was more than a friend…he was family.

Nick was preceded in death by his parents, Ralph and Anna Trombetta; brother Paul Trombetta; sister Ann Lewan; son Michael Trombetta and nephew Keith Trombetta. He is survived by his daughter Terry (Mike) Stone; daughter in-law Janice Trombetta; grandchildren Tim (Debbie) Stone and Melissa (Cole) Fowler. Great Grandchildren Logan Stone, Lanie Stone and Lily Fowler. Nephews Kim Trombetta, Scott (Denise) Lewan and Craig (Kathy) Lewan. He also leaves many, many special friends.

Graveside services will be held in the Hill of Valor, Hillcrest Memorial Park, 9101 Kern Canyon Road, Bakersfield, California on Friday, October 8, 2021 at 10:00 am.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations in Nick’s memory to the Guild House or the Italian Heritage Dante Association.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.hillcrestmemorial.com for the Trombetta family.