Lasting Memories

Robert Luis Matamoros Nedd
Aug. 8, 1925-Sept. 19, 2018
Palo Alto, California

Our dear, sweet husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather, Robert "Bob" Luis (Matamoros) Nedd was born on August 8, 1925 in San Francisco. He was raised by his mother and grandmother in San Francisco, enjoying sports during his youth. When his mother remarried, he took the name of his stepfather (Nedd). He played basketball while attending Commerce High School and, upon graduation, joined the Army Air Corps. He joined hoping to fly. During training, it was discovered how well he swam, so he traveled to different air bases swimming for his Corps Team. The war ended before he was able to begin flying. He then attended the University of San Francisco, and also worked for Wells Fargo Bank. He graduated with a B.S. in Business.

During his time at the bank, he met fellow employee Dolores (Dee) Josephine Mibelli, who was in her senior year at Commerce High. They married after her graduation on June 13, 1948. Bob and Dee lived in San Francisco for their first few years of marriage. Bob was comptroller for Schenley Liquors when they decided to move "far down the peninsula" to Palo Alto. In 1955, their daughter, Donna, was born, followed in 1958 by their son, Gary. Bob later changed companies and began at Juilliard Alpha Liquor Company as a comptroller. At the time of his retirement, he had worked his way to CEO, and it was Northern California's largest wholesale liquor warehouse at the time. He enjoyed his job and all the friends he made there.

At the "old" age of 35, Bob began playing handball. 35 was considered older to begin the game, but he ended up with a room full of trophies and awards, including being inducted into the Northern California Handball Hall of Fame and winning at doubles in U.S. National tournaments in the age 75+ bracket. Bob loved playing handball at the Palo Alto Elks Club, San Mateo Elks, San Jose YMCA, South End Rowing Club and Olympic Club in San Francisco. He played into his late 80s. He also played golf and enjoyed being a member of Sharon Heights Golf and Country Club in Menlo Park. He loved both sports and all of the great friends he made playing all over the world!

Remembering that he always wanted to fly, when daughter, Donna, worked at a flight school at Palo Alto Airport and received her Private Pilot’s License, Bob did the same and earned his wings in his 50s! Work and handball tournaments allowed Bob and Dee the enjoyment of traveling to all parts of the world. They enjoyed traveling with friends, meeting people and exploring new places. They both were always ready to help anyone in need, to advise, encourage and love. They both had difficult lives growing up, but overcame these obstacles, becoming great examples to us all and amazingly wonderful parents, grandparents, and great-grandparents! Each one of us was loved and felt special to them! Our father was always kind to everyone he met, willing to help and encourage them. His smile was contagious and so enjoyed being with family and friends.

Bob is survived by wife, Dee (married for 70 years!); children Donna (Clyde) Pendleton and Gary Robert (Theresa) Nedd, of Palo Alto. Five grandchildren, Stephanie (Alex) Yap of Oakland; Kathryn (Lars) Heinke of Karlsruhe, Germany; Vanessa (Ben) Terry of Lafayette; Robert (Amelia) Pendleton of Mountain View; and Sara (Juan) Fernandez of Mountain View. Seven great-grandchildren: Lucia, Penny and Domenic Yap, Sophia and Oliver Terry, Maia and Anden Fernandez, and baby girl Heinke, due in January, will be number 8! His father, Jorge Matamoros Loria; mother, Rosalie Helen Rosenthal; and brother, George, preceded him in death.

We thank you, kind friends and family, for the joy you brought into our family, especially to mom and dad.