Robert E. Formichi

May 19th, 1927 - February 9, 2021

Bob passed peacefully at home at the age of 93 with his family at his bedside after a short physical illness. He grew up in the Marina District of San Francisco, son of his dear parents, John and “Lena” (Ottoboni) Formichi who preceded him. His sister, Virginia Formichi, long-listed in Marquis’s “Who’s Who in the United States” resides in San Francisco.

He attended St. Vincent de Paul Grammar School. He then went on to St. Ignatius High School where the Jesuits taught him critical thinking and prepared him for his future.

At age 18, during World War II, he was conscripted into the Air Corps.

Following military service he graduated from the University of San Francisco where he majored in Chemistry. He went on to Stanford Law School and then joined the prestigious San Francisco law firm of Sullivan, Roach, Johnson & Faraher. Later he became the Reporter of Decisions for the State of California where he served with distinction for 20 years under both Democratic and Republican governors.

He married the love of his life, Margret Mary Wallsten. They initially started a family in San Francisco but eventually moved to Marin where they raised their children. He and Peggy had seven loving children: Bob Formichi, Jerd Formichi, Bret Formichi, Lisa Formichi, David Formichi, Maria Formichi-King (husband,Greg King) and Nina Formichi. He also has 11 amazing grandchildren: Dominic King, Joseph King, Christopher King, Melena King, Olivia King, Angelina King, Sophia King, David King, Lucia King, Isabella King and Giorgio King.

In an interview reported at the time of his retirement in 1989, Bob described the Reporter’s work as “a quiet, backstage practice,” noting, however, that the opinions were “documents of the state, documents of the people, and tools of society.” In the same article, California Supreme Court Associate Justice Stanley Mosk, who was the former Attorney General of California, described Bob’s work as “indispensable to the court process.” Bob authored the 3rd edition of the official “California Style Manual: A Handbook of Legal Style for California.”

Bob was a member of the Olympic Club for 72 years. He always looked forward to his weekly get-togethers at Rotary. He loved tending his rose garden. He enjoyed packing up the station wagon with the family and heading up to the Sierra Mountains. One of their favorite relaxing destinations was Hawaii. In retirement he and Peggy took a three-month journey through Europe.

Bob tells us in a touching video shortly before his passing that, “Jesus will take care of you when your time has come. My time has come. But it is not over, because Jesus says, Once born, we will live forever. Take care of each other.”

Due to Covid restrictions, a private mass was held at St. Anselm’s Church in Ross joined by immediate family. His was a big supporter of the Medical Mission Sisters: 8400 Pine Road Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19111

(215) 742-6100 medicalmissionsisters.org