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Robert Norris
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — Robert (Bob, Botts, Mr. Norris, Bob From Cobb) Michael Norris of Cobb, California, passed away on June 1, 2023, after a brief and intense fight with leukemia.
His family was with him at Adventist Hospital in St. Helena, California, during his final days.
At the time of his passing, he was 72.
Bob Norris was born in South San Francisco in 1950 to George and Lorraine Norris. He was the oldest of three boys and grew up in the many parks, ballfields and classrooms in the flight path of San Francisco International Airport. His childhood home’s proximity to Candlestick Park sparked a lifelong fandom of the San Francisco Giants and 49ers.
He attended San Jose State University and joined the Zeta Iota chapter of the Sigma Nu Fraternity. The friendships Botts made at SJSU would last the rest of his life and be the foundation for decades of memorable experiences, reunions, and camping trips.
Most importantly, it was where he met Nyla Jan O’Meara. The two wed in August of 1976. Bob and Nyla moved to Lake County, California, and ultimately to the small community of Cobb in 1984, where Bob served as the self-appointed “Mayor of Fox Drive.”
Mr. Norris was a career educator, having taught primarily in the Middletown School District at Cobb Elementary, Middletown Middle, Middletown High and Coyote Valley Elementary schools. He was also a devoted coach of many sports, from youth soccer to high school golf… and many in between.
A gifted storyteller, he enjoyed teaching California and US History and sharing stories — occasionally embellished — of his own life as they pertained to these subjects. In retirement, he would often “work” at Six Sigma Ranch and Winery and Adams Springs Golf Course.
Bob From Cobb had a passion for creating and documenting moments and making them into memories. His parents’ desire to travel instilled a lifelong urge to see and experience new places.
As a teacher, free summers led to countless family vacations and road trips across the United States and Canada. As a retiree, the boundaries for travel grew to Europe, South America, and anywhere Nyla could convince him would make good content for his travel “blog.”
It is hard not to talk about the impact of sports when describing Bob’s life. In his youth, he participated in baseball, basketball, swimming, and many more. He would tell stories about going to games at Kezar Stadium, Seals Stadium, the Cow Palace, Candlestick Park and Harmon Gym. Later in life he and Nyla secured season tickets to the San Francisco Giants and 49ers, and in retirement enjoyed annual trips to Arizona for spring training.
Bob is remembered by his wife of 47 years, Nyla and their children Rob (Chelsea) and Beth Norris (Nik Huerta). Bob cherished his two grandchildren: Brady (10) and Kinley (7) Norris; his incredible brothers, Jim (Adeline) and Rich (Cindy) Norris; and brother-in-law Jack (Cheryl) O’Meara.
Bob’s mother, Lorraine (99), still lives in his childhood home in South San Francisco. His father George passed away in December of 2022 at the age of 100.
A celebration of life is planned for later this summer.
If you are able, please consider giving blood and platelets to a local blood drive or hospital to aid others fighting leukemia.
Donations can be made to the Martin-O’Neil Cancer Center in St. Helena where Bob received excellent care (visit https://shhfoundation.org).
