March 30, 1937 – February 3, 2022
Bob was born in Los Angeles, California. His family moved to Bakersfield where he attended St. Francis, then Garces (class of 1955), and finally UCLA (class of 1961) where he majored in marketing and was a member of the Sigma Nu Fraternity. While at UCLA, he attended a student trip to Europe, which established his love of travel, a passion that would stay with him for the rest of his life.
After his graduation, Bob served in the Army National Guard, and was stationed at Fort Ord. He then returned to Bakersfield to work for his family business Giumarra Vineyards. His mother introduced him to his future wife, Benjie Mae Mettler. They were married 7 years, and had two daughters, Melinda and Mimi.
Bob then worked as a Stockbroker with Hayden Stone and Kidder Peabody. After his divorce, he lived in Marina Del Rey, and enjoyed taking out his sailboat in his leisure hours. It was at this time that he met Marietta Kay Miller (Green). They were soon married, and lived in Culver City, California with Marietta’s three boys, Gary, Dean, and Michael.
Bob decided to go back to the family business and moved his new family to Bakersfield, where they lived on Panorama, and later, on the shore of the Kern River. Fourteen years later, Bob was devasted when his wife Marietta died after being involved in a tragic accident. Many of his family and friends came together to lend him support during this dark time, for which he would always be grateful.
When Bob started back at Giumarra, he first worked in the winery, then moved to sales, and then on to selling export fruit. He especially enjoyed hosting the New Zealand inspectors and hosting and visiting his overseas customers, entertaining them at his home when he could.
An outdoor lover, Bob enjoyed downhill skiing at Mammoth, China Peak and Snow Mass, Colorado, and cross-country skiing at Quaking Aspen. He enjoyed skeet shooting and hunting, as well as wind surfing on Lake Ming, and tubing on the Kern River. He also had a love for animals, and always had a dog or cat around. Some of his favorites were Sir Hansel (Queensland), Wolfie (Great White Pyrenees) and Dolly (Chihuahua).
With a passion for speed, Bob loved cars, go-carts, and motorcycles. He loved organizing, sponsoring, and riding in charity Harley Rides, as well as driving his assorted vehicles around town and to the beach. In his later years, he enjoyed car racing and was very proud to sponsor several winning races and drivers.
Bob married Debbie Stanton (Dial) in 1990. They enjoyed time in Carpentaria camping by the beach, and spending time with Debbie’s daughter Tiffany, and later grandson Marcus. Bob also enjoyed family get-togethers, and seeing his grandson’s Dallas Plater and Ridgely Dorsey, as well as his son-in-law’s family.
Bob was very gregarious, and always loved the company of friends and acquaintances, and was always there to talk and offer advice. He was amusing, fun, full of crazy stories, and always had new ideas for business ventures and activities. In his later years he became more solitary, going to lunch with friends and family, and watching old movies on tv.
Bob is predeceased by parents Dominic and Esther Corsaro, and Sister and Brother-in-law, Camille and David Stanley. He is survived by his daughter Melinda Blackwood and husband Chuck, grandson Dallas Plater (Casey), Chuck’s daughter Jennifer McNabb (Mike), and children, Lexi, Lily, Luke, and Hayden; daughter Mimi Corsaro, and grandson Ridgely Dorsey.
A celebration of Bob’s life will be held Friday, March 11th at 9AM at Hillcrest Memorial Park, and a viewing will be held March 10th from 5-8PM. Bob enjoyed organizing the Harley wildflower ride to benefit the California Living Museum (CALM), a place that he loved to visit. In lieu of flowers, donations to any CALM program would be greatly appreciated.
