Robert (Bob) Woodrow Chamness

Robert Woodrow Chamness (Bob), 103, passed away peacefully in his home at the San Carlos Elms on Sunday, May 17, 2020, dressed to the nines and looking sharp as expected.  

Bob was born in a vacant house in Illmo, Missouri December 1916 to parents Maude and Brose Chamness when they decided to go out for a drive.  He was the youngest of 5.  Bob grew up in Marion, Illinois and was a very creative child from a young age.  He was always designing and building structures out of extra scraps of wood.  He continued his creative interests in both high school and college where he loved designing the sets for theatre productions.  He graduated with a degree in Art History and an emphasis in Architecture from Southern Illinois University in 1934. He was art editor of the yearbook and even carved replicas of Southern Illinois University and of the Parthenon out of ivory soap.  Bob served as President of his chapter of the Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity.  

At age 21, Bob survived a tragic car accident and lost the bottom half of his face.  When he was able to return to college wearing a scarf over his face, a classmate of his told him that her father was in a new medical field as a plastic surgeon and could help reconstruct his face.  Who knew 80+ years later he would be back to wearing that mask over his face!

In 1941 Bob enlisted in the Navy.  He was a navigator and happened to fly in the South Pacific with his nephew, John Luchow as the pilot. He left the Navy as a Lieutenant after 4 years of active duty and 8 years in the US Naval Reserves.  

At the end of WWII, Bob went to Bullock’s Wilshire department store in Los Angeles and enrolled in an interior design course.  This is where he met Mary, the love of his life.  They were married two years later in 1948 and were married for 58 wonderful years.  

Bob and Mary had 4 children and lived in Fort Worth, Texas; Indianapolis, Indiana, Holyoke, Massachusetts; and Sacramento, California.  Bob continued his creative interests working in merchandising as a buyer and divisional merchandise manager for 38 years.  He and Mary frequented the Sacramento Ballet, the Music Circus, and local art museums.     

He is survived by his children, Robyn Chamness, Robert Chamness Jr., wife Fiona, Jon Chamness.  For Robyn in San Carlos, son-in-law, Steven Oshita, grandson Reid Ashbaugh and wife Zulma of San Carlos, and great-grandchild Maximo, granddaughter Renee Staudenbaur husband Marc of Pacifica,CA and great-grandchildren Sadie and June.  For Jon of Orlando, FL, wife Chris, granddaughter Laura Chamness of Yuba City and great-grandchild Quinn, granddaughter Heidi Jenkins with husband Joshua of Fairbanks, AL and great-grandchildren Reece, Abigail, Asher, Lily, Aleigha, and grandson Justin Chamness and wife Shiana of Gridley, CA, with great-grandchildren Kairi, and Jayden.