Obituary of Robert Vernon Youngstrom

Uncle Bob passed suddenly and unexpectedly in Capitola from a massive stroke at the age of 89. Bob was born and raised in Oakland, CA and graduated from Fremont High School in Oakland in 1940. Unable to enlist in the military due to a childhood surgery, he served his country by working for Consolidated Aircraft in San Diego. Bob's drafting skills enabled him to design and draw instrument clusters for the PBY Catalina and B24 Liberator. After the war, Bob was employed by Bechtel, the global engineering and construction firm. As a lead draftsman in their San Francisco office, Bob worked primarily on dam and hydroelectric projects. After leaving Bechtel, he moved to McCloud, CA near the base of Mt. Shasta. He loved mountain living for 6 years until the cold winters forced him to move back south. Settling in Capitola with his second cousin Rick, wife Pam and their kids, he lived out his life with family and friends enjoying the temperate weather and sunny afternoons on the back deck. Bob was an avid outdoorsman who enjoyed hunting upland game birds in Idaho, fly fishing (machined his own fly reel), backpacking in the Sierra's, playing tennis, astronomy, sailing on the San Francisco Bay and crewing on a square rigger in the Caribbean. In his 60's he started taking flying lessons. His log book showed he was six hours short of his first solo flight and his private license. His favorite activity was snow skiing. A ski vacation in Europe and skiing in the Sierra's kept Bob fit enough to ski into his late 70's. His last adventure was riding his motorcycle starting in his 80's. Bob's numerous indoor interests were, reading and following racing and the NHL. He loved to read and became an avid researcher with his Dell Laptop and Google. He marveled at the volume and depth of information the electronic age has brought us. He collected coins, stamps, downloaded and burned his own classic western music CD's with his Apple iTunes account, built many highly detailed model aircraft and boats. He was also an accomplished painter, guitar, ukulele and piano player. Bob also had an enormous sweet tooth, he loved cookies and ice cream. Bob truly was a kind, gentle and gracious gentleman with a, great sense of humor, an infectious smile and laugh, along with a great intellect. He was held dear by everyone who knew him. He will be sorely missed by everyone whose life he touched but each of our lives are much richer for having known him. Bob is preceded in death by his father Vernon and mother Mabel Youngstom and older brother Jack. He is survived by his Cousins Bette (Tomme) Thomsen of Helendale, CA, Carl Youngstrom of Sacramento, CA, Rick and Pam Farren of Capitola, CA and their children, Jack (Brittany), Robert (Samantha), and Rachel.Bob was a generous benefactor to many deserving charities. In lieu of flowers, please feel free to make a donation to the charity of your choice in remembrance of Robert V. Youngstrom. A celebration of life will be held at Bob's home at 811 Sir Francis Ave., Capitola on Sunday, October 28th from 2:00 - 5:00 PM. Wherever you may be Sunday afternoon, at 4:00 please take a moment to reflect or raise your glass in memory of Uncle Bob.