Robert L. Hobson

July 10, 1935 - March 8, 2021

Robert L. Hobson was born in Gary, Indiana and raised in Crown Point, Indiana. He graduated from Crown Point High School in 1953, and went on to attend Wabash College, graduating in 1957. He played college football and baseball. He was a Beta Theta Pi, and remained lifelong friends with many of the people he met at the fraternity and Wabash.

Robert then joined the United States Navy and attended Officer Candidacy School in Newport, Rhode Island. He spent two years in active Naval duty, first in Coos Bay, Oregon and later in Point Sur, California. After his active duty, Robert continued to serve in the Naval Reserves for 30 years, primarily at the Treasure Island Base, ultimately earning the rank of Captain. He was honored to be appointed to the Naval Reserve Policy Board by the Secretary of the Navy. Robert attended law school at U.C. Hastings in San Francisco from 1961 to 1964. During that time, he met Mary Dobenecker, and they married shortly after Robert graduated. They went on to have two sons, Steven and Michael Hobson. Robert worked for the Internal Revenue Service in the Estate Tax division for a few years before leaving to create and lead the Charitable Trust Services division of Bank of America’s Trust Department. In 1986, Robert left Bank of America to begin a private practice, focusing on planning and administration of charitable trusts and estate planning. His son, Michael, later joined him in his practice, and they worked side by side for more than fifteen years.

Robert was a long-term member of Lafayette United Methodist Church, where he was an usher and acted as chairman of the finance committee. He held board positions at several charitable organizations, including Clausen House and Children’s Home Society. Robert also served on several committees at the Olympic Club in San Francisco. He was a 3rd Degree Mason at the Orinda Masonic Lodge.

Robert loved to travel, and was an avid sports fan, especially of the Giants, Warriors, and Cal Bears. He loved politics, history, and spending time with his family.

Robert lost his wife, Mary Hobson in 2010. He was later fortunate to find companionship with Del James after being widowed. Robert is survived by his two sons, Steven and Michael, and his three grandchildren, Nicholas, Alexa and Colby. He was a kind, funny, generous and adored father, grandfather, and friend, and will be greatly missed by the many people whose lives he touched, both professionally and personally.