Robert L. Little

September 6, 1921 ~ November 7, 2011

Carmel ~ Robert Little passed away at his home in Carmel on November 7, 2011. He was born in Stockton, California to Leslie and Margaret Learned Little. He was predeceased by his parents and his borthers, Norman and George Little and his sister, Marian Little Hersche.

Robert was raised in Stockton, attended Stockton High School (class of ’39) and, as a member of the NorCal championship basketball team, was inducted in to the ‘99 Stockton Athletic Hall of Fame. He attended College of the Pacific and the University of Montana. In 1941, Robert married the “love of his life”, Bernice Altree. They honeymooned in Carmel. Robert served his country in the Army Air Corps as a B-17 pilot. After World War II, he and Bernice settled in Carmel where they raised their family of four sons.

In 1948, Robert and Bernice established the Carmel Insurance Agency, which is still a family business in Carmel. In 1958, they bought the Carmel Lodge and, in 1960, the Carmel Sands Motel next door. They added Simpson’s Restaurant in 1961 and acquired the adjacent Snug Harbor Inn. In 1968, with the insurance agency, the hotel and the restaurant under family management, Robert, aboard his Breece II, began commercial fishing for salmon and albacore, which he enjoyed until the age of 88.

Robert was a man of many interests and was involved in the local business community for nearly seventy years. He was a sixty-year member of the Masonic Order, Carmel Lodge 680. He was also a 67-year member of the American Legion, Post 512, a founding member of the Carmel Kiwanis Club and a 49-year member of the Carmel chapter of the Eastern Star.

As a young man, Robert delighted in the memory of his grandfather, Horace Learned, who raised championship Percherons on the Stockton family Blue Gum Farm. These early years instilled a love of the outdoors and a shared love of fly fishing and hunting with his sons, grandsons, granddaughters and even a great grandson. These were passions he pursued vigorously, fishing the rivers of Alaska, British Columbia, England, Montana, Central America and the Sierras. With each family member who joined him, he instilled the love of nature, a responsibility of conservation and mindfulness for the environment and the importance of giving back in order to preserve and share what he loved with future generations.

Above all, Robert was devoted to his family. His genuine interest in each family member gave him a great deal of joy. His family and friends will remember him for his great zest for life and the caring, kind and generous way he lived it.

Robert is survived by his beloved wife of seventy years, Bernice; sons, Robert (Miriam), Matthew (Joan), Larry (Dana) and Kenneth (Catherine). Eleven grandchildren also survive him: Christy, Michael, Lisa, Amy, Matthew Jr. Tara, Jennifer, Bryan, Cameron, Kenna and Zachary and nine great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his brother, Steven Little of Santa Barbara, Dottie Little of Carmel Valley, Maureen Meek of Pacific Grove, Robin Altree Kirk of Redondo Beach and eight nieces and nephews.

The family extends its heartfelt appreciation to cardiologist, Dr. David Clark for over 20 years of care and concern.

A memorial service will be held at The Paul Mortuary Chapel, 390 Lighthouse Avenue in Pacific Grove on Saturday, November 26 at 2:30 P.M. Those wishing to make a contribution in Robert’s memory may do so to the Shriners’ Children's Hospital, 2425 Stockton Blvd, Sacramento, 95817 or the donor’s charity of choice.

This be the verse you grave for me:

Here he lies where he longed to be;

Home is the sailor home from the sea

And the hunter home from the hill.

Robert Lewis Stevenson

Arrangements under the direction of The Paul Mortuary, Pacific Grove, CA.