Robert Lyman Quist
May 27,1953 - March 16, 2017
Robert Lyman Quist, a prominent investment banker, longtime Woodside, CA resident and loving husband and father, died March 16 in Phoenix, AZ. He was 63.
Bob was married to wife Leslie, who lovingly called him “Bobby” just as he’d been called since childhood, for 41 years. In one of his life’s greatest strokes of luck, he first met Leslie when they were born next door to each other as children in Orinda. Fifteen years later, their parents, friends who had met while attending Cal, prodded Leslie to invite him to her freshman school dance, and the rest is history.
Bob had a gratifying career in investment banking with Cowen and Co. and Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette, having been involved in success stories like Yahoo!, PeopleSoft and Xilinx. Those who were fortunate to work with him remember him for more than just his business acumen. He took great effort to truly get to know everyone he worked with, regardless of seniority or influence, and seemed to never hesitate to oblige should someone seek his advice or a favor.
He was just as comfortable on a pool deck as he was in a board room. One of the great supporters of Bay Area aquatics, Bob played water polo at College of San Mateo and Cal. A mentor in the truest sense of the word, he introduced the family sport to his daughter, Lauren, and son, Will, when they were small and spent countless hours with them in the pool. Both made their father proud when they led their respective teams to championships at St. Francis High School in Mountain View and Bellarmine College Prep in San Jose, and when some 30 years after Bob attended Cal, Will carried on his legacy and competed in the same pool there. Bob was also a member of the original, Hall of Fameinducted water polo team at the Olympic Club as well as a volunteer coach at Bellarmine.
Just as in work and sport, Bob was a positive force in all aspects of his life. Quick to inquire about someone’s day or rouse them to make them laugh, he was admired by all whose paths he crossed. From the teller at the bank to the barista at his local coffee shop to some of Silicon Valley’s most storied CEOs, Bob was loved for his authenticity and ability to make people feel seen. Until his final days, he was a giver, never a taker.
Those who knew Quist will remember him always surrounded by friends and loved ones. Whether cheering on his beloved Cal Bears, at the Menlo Country Club, the Pacific Union Club, the Olympic Club, the Bohemian Grove, a Big Game party with Betas or in more recent years, at his grandson’s birthday party, it was connecting with his friends and loved ones that filled him with purpose.
Of all people, though, his children and grandchildren were the center of his universe. Never one to miss an event or milestone in their lives, Quist thought them his greatest gift and source of joy. Even into adulthood, he cherished adventures with Lauren, with whom he swapped music on Spotify, talked about trends in retail and tried new restaurants. And Will, now a father himself, who he became close friends with over the years sharing spirited debates over everything from Cal Athletics to the most recent IPOs. Recently, his grandson brought him the most joy. His happiest place might have been in his chair, reading George endless books.
Bob was the son of Robin Templeton Quist Gates and the late George Quist, and brother to Catherine Quist Brisbin (Butch) and Sarah Quist Dolbey (Paul) and the late Peter Quist. He was the loving husband to Leslie Madeira Quist and father to Lauren Quist and William (Christina) Quist, and grandfather to William George Quist Jr. and Charles Templeton Quist. He leaves behind several nieces and nephews. He is also survived by his sisters-in-law Gina Madeira and Charline Douty, as well as his stepsisters and stepbrother Elena Gates Motlow, Susan Gates Suman, Virginia Lewis, Anne Symington and Milo Gates.
A private service will be held. Donations may be made to the Riekes CenterScholarship Fund, 3455 Edison Way, Menlo Park, CA 94025 in Quist’s name.