Obituary: Bob Wells

Bob Wells was born September 30, 1927, raised in Minnesota, and relocated to the Chicago area with his family during his high school years. He attended college locally, graduating from Wheaton College in 1948. He proudly served the country he loved in the Navy during WWII. In 1949 Bob decided to head west, moving to Los Angeles.

 In 1951, Bob went to work for the 3M Company where he worked for the Business Equipment Division selling the newly invented thermofax machine, then copiers, and eventually moved into management. Bob met his wife Darlene while he was a young manager working out of the San Francisco office. They had two children, Sharyn and David.

In 1972, Bob was transferred to Chicago where he was the Midwest Regional Manager for 9 years. He and his family moved once again in 1981 back to the state they loved, California and the San Francisco Bay Area.  

In 1985 Bob and Darlene were ready to retire from corporate life and they decided to settle in beautiful Rancho Bernardo. Soon after moving to Rancho Bernardo, Bob got involved in the community. He was asked by the RB Chamber to take over the Executive Director position in March of 1988, and that was the beginning of his community involvement.

In his four years at the Chamber, his accomplishments were many, including doubling of the membership. Bob was a creative community activist and was responsible for many of the programs that have become an integral part of the Rancho Bernardo lifestyle. In 1990, he helped form the Rancho Bernardo Community Foundation, which was created to assure that funds would be available to support the many community organizations in Rancho Bernardo. He was instrumental in the Foundation taking over the operation of the annual Thanksgiving Luncheon. Since its founding, the Foundation fund has grown to over one million dollars.

In 1993, Bob was responsible for creating the Pathway of Pride in Rancho Bernardo's Webb Park. A series of plaques are placed in the walkway each year for donations of $1,000 or more. The Pathway of Pride now has over 250 plaques.

Bob was a long-time member of the RB Noon Rotary, serving a term as President. He was a past President of the Los Rios Home Owners Association, and a past President and Board member of the Bernardo Heights Home Owners Association. He served on the RB Community Council and was a three-term president and long-time member of the Spirit of the Fourth. Bob was elected to the RB Hall of Fame in 1993. He was also an active contributor in the Palomar-Pomerado Health Foundation, RB Historical Society, served on the Board of Directors of Casa De Las Campanas, the Board of Directors of Campus Life and numerous other community organizations.

Bob's last community effort was helping to form the Rancho Bernardo Business Association where he had been serving as a founding Board Member and Treasurer.

Bob will be remembered by his many friends as a good and loving family man, a leader and pillar of the community, whose efforts will be a part of Rancho Bernardo for many years to come. He was "Mr. RB". Those that knew him best will also remember him as a devout Christian who loved the Lord with all his heart, mind and soul. He was active in his care group through his home church, Emmanuel Faith Community Church.

Bob is survived by his wife of 53 years, Darlene, daughter Sharyn, son David, son-in-law Bob Davie, daughter-in-law Suzanne, grandchildren Brandon, Brittany, Bradley and Violet and sister Marian Keeney.

A Memorial Service is scheduled for Saturday, October 13th at 2:00 pm in the Chapel at Emmanuel Faith Community Church located at 639 East 17th Avenue, Escondido, CA 92025. A reception will follow at the church at the conclusion of the service. Parking is located in lot "B" directly off Encino Drive.

In lieu of flowers or gifts, the family requests that donations be directed to World Vision. World Vision is a Christian humanitarian organization dedicated to working with children, families and their communities to fight hunger, poverty and injustice. Donations can be sent to World Vision Inc., P.O. Box 9716, Federal Way, WA 98063-9716.