Robert “Bob” Michael Powers
July 4, 1946 - October 14, 2015
On October 14, 2015, Robert “Bob” Michael Powers, 69, of San Francisco passed away due to complications related to ALS. Bob passed peacefully at home surrounded by all the people he loved so dearly. He was preceded in death by his son Adam, brother Rich, and parents Jay and Jeanette Powers. He is survived by, and will be missed daily, by his wife Catherine “Kit”, sister Mary, son Mark (Gina), daughter Erin (Brian Prezlock), and grandchildren Isabella, Kameron, Harper and Eve.
Bob was born to Jay and Jeanette Powers in Milwaukee, Wisconsin on July 4, 1946. He was joined by brother Rich and sister Mary, three and eight years later respectively. Their strong mid-western family was centered on the importance of hard work, honesty, loyalty and, most importantly, golf. Bob exemplified these values throughout his life and inspired them in everyone whose life he touched.
After excelling at Washington High School in Milwaukee, Bob graduated in 1964 and went on to earn a BS in mechanical engineering at Marquette University in 1968. While attending Marquette, Bob became a proud member of the Triangle Fraternity (a brotherhood of engineers, architects, and scientists) and built life-long relationships with his fraternity brothers. Also while attending Marquette, Bob had a fortuitous fall down the steps of the Student Union, after which he met a fiery woman named Kit who, in true Kit fashion, was laughing unreservedly at him. Bob and Kit married five years later in 1969 at the Gesu Chapel on Marquette’s campus.
Following their marriage, Bob worked as an engineer for the Continental Can Company in Chicago, where he remained for two years. In 1970, Bob enrolled at Tulane University and earned his MBA in 1972. Following graduation, Bob began his accounting career with Ernst & Ernst in San Francisco. For the next 10 years, he contributed to the audits of a variety of commercial and professional service companies and handled recruitment for the San Francisco office. In 1981, Bob realized he wanted to be a more integral part of the business community and work with a greater number of local private sector companies. He consequently joined the firm of Calegari & Morris, where he remained for the rest of his life. Bob loved his work every single day. He loved his clients and co-workers and was honored to mentor anyone who was willing to learn.
While Bob was building his career in accounting, his family continued to grow. He and Kit welcomed Mark in 1970, Adam in 1975, and Erin in 1979. Eventually through both Mark (Gina) and Erin’s (Brian) marriages, he was blessed with four grandchildren. He was an incredibly proud grandfather, a role he delighted in every day. Bob also had two pseudo children whom he thought of and treated as his own, Dann and Lisa Sonne.
Bob had many loves of his life: his family, his friends, his work, and last but not least, golf. Many happy days were spent at the Olympic Club, and during his long career on the golf course he was fortunate enough to have made a hole in one on three separate occasions, an accomplishment about which he was characteristically humble, but privately held like a badge of honor.
Bob loved, provided for and protected his family with the same joy, dedication and intensity he brought to his work and to every endeavor throughout his life. He was an incredible father, husband, brother and grandfather, and his family will feel the loss of his presence every day. Bob was an amazing man who brought love and laughter to so many people; his absence in the world will leave a hole in the hearts of those who loved and admired him forever.
Friends are invited to visit from 4:00 – 7:00 pm and attend a Vigil Service at 7:00 pm on Thursday October 22nd at Duggan’s Serra Mortuary in Daly City. A Funeral Mass will celebrate Bob’s life at 1:00 pm on Friday October 23rd at St. Emydius Church in San Francisco. The burial will follow at Holy Cross Cemetery.
Following the burial, all are welcome to join in a celebration of Bob’s life at Puerto 27 restaurant in Pacifica.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Adam Powers Memorial Scholarship at St. Ignatius College Preparatory.