Bob ‘Robert’ Wang

NAPA, CA — Bob “Robert” Wang, 76, died October 8, 2023 in Napa, CA from a head injury related to an unknown medical event. He was surrounded by family who loved him.

Bob was born July 18, 1947 to Shaw Kai and Wei Cheng Wang in San Francisco. He was a curious and energetic kid who became an all-city basketball player at Washington HS. At UC Berkeley, he obtained his BA Biochemistry and married Kate Soo Ju. Bob then received his PHD in Biochemistry at UC Riverside and went on to a career in biotech in San Diego. His colleagues regarded him as efficient, “top notch in every way,” a solid leader and “incredible mentor.” In 1980, while working with Hybritech, Bob developed the 1st monoclonal antibody test. Before retiring, Bob helped start The Center for Biopharmaceutical and

July 18, 1947 - October 8, 2023

Biodevice Development at San Diego State University.

While Bob enjoyed work, family was the center of his life. Bob and Kate welcomed sons Jonathan in 1970 and Richard in 1974 before adopting their daughter Katy in 1978. A loving and dedicated dad, Bob coached and cheered for his kids’ sports teams and was active in his church community. A calm and sage presence, he was a mentor for his nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

In the last decade of Bob and Kate’s over 40 years of marriage, Kate developed dementia. Throughout the progression of her illness, Bob cared for her with abiding love and compassion but remained present and loving of his 6 grandchildren. After Kate passed in 2010, Bob split his time between San Diego, San Francisco and in Lake Tahoe, channeling his energy into DIY home projects.

In 2012, Bob met Michele Alexander. Both had lost a spouse prematurely and shared a love of family. They married in Napa in 2017 and lived together happily in Mission Viejo working on home renovations, travel to Hawaii and Europe, and had an active social life. They spent countless hours driving up and down I-5 visiting family in Napa and San Francisco. Bob ultimately became a beloved fatherin-law and grandfather to Michele’s children and grandchildren.

We are heartbroken that our time with Bob was cut short.

Bob was predeceased by his wife, Kate in 2010, mother, Wei Cheng in 2014, and father Shaw Kai in 2019.

He is survived by his wife, Michele Alexander, children, Jonathan, Richard, and Kathryn, daughters-in-law Heather and Joanne, grandchildren Drew, Noah, Rachel, Joshua, Sophie, and Bex, sister Mimi, step-children Erin, Evan and Cobin, and step-grandchildren, Tate, Luca, Quinn, Blythe, and Lila, along with countless nieces, nephews, and other family that adored him.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to the Association for Fronto Temporal Lobar Degeneration at https:// www.theaftd.org.

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