Robert James Zembsch, a longtime Fremont and Berkeley resident passed away peacefully at the age of 93 on February 1, 2023. Bob rejoins Jo Ellen, his loving wife of 55 years and his oldest son Brandt, both predeceasing Bob. Bob is survived by an ever-growing number of Zembsches that love him dearly: 3 beloved sons and daughters-in-law, Brandt’s widow Gail; Steve; Kurt (Khwan) and Mark (Kim). "BobBob" was absolutely adored by his 8 grandchildren Kyle (Priscilla), Cara, Tela, Siela, Natalie, Jack, Chloe and Kiran, and his great granddaughter Sofia.

Truly a “Son of California” (and a couple of gold miners), Bob is a native of Oakland, California. Bob was born to Elma Williams and Virgil James Giani and was lovingly raised by George Zembsch and Alma McCormack Zembsch in Grass Valley and Oakland. Bob met his future wife Jo Ellen Carlisle when they both moved to Oakland during World War II. Bob is a proud graduate of Oakland Technical HS (1946), where he was Sports Editor and a member of the baseball team. After a brief stint at Saint Mary’s College, Bob made the best decision of his life and enrolled at the University of Arkansas to be with Jo. They married in 1950, and moved to Berkeley where Bob finished his undergraduate degree in Business Administration at the University of California, Berkeley (1953). During a successful stint in the U.S. Army (proudly achieving the rank of 1st Lieutenant, and becoming an expert marksman), Bob became a father, and in the span of five years he and Jo had four sons. Bob enjoyed professional success as an accountant for 12 years before deciding to go back to Cal during the turbulent late 1960’s for an MBA (1968). Energized a second time by his experiences at Cal, Bob became an expert entrepreneur, a second career he relished until his retirement in 1985. Bob loved helping dozens of startup businesses thrive. He particularly enjoyed telling stories of working with eclectic businesses in San Francisco during the late 1960’s and early 1970’s, including companies that sold waterbeds and indoor plant growing aids. He and Jo were able to retire together in 1985, and moved to the Berkeley Hills in a lovely view home completely renovated by their son Steve.    

Bob’s life was so rich because of his deep commitment to fostering long-term, loving relationships, starting with Jo, the true love of his life for nearly 60 years. Bob was a devoted father to his four sons, and all of his sons enjoyed an extremely close relationship with Bob and Jo throughout their parents’ lives. Bob also leaves behind close friends he has had for decades, some friendships going back almost 80 years.

Bob also enjoyed a 75 year devotion to Cal. Besides earning two degrees, he volunteered and worked at Cal in numerous capacities, including serving for many years on the Alumni Scholarship Committee; hosting football recruits; and he was a Visiting Lecturer for several Graduate Courses in Entrepreneurship. Bob was enormously proud that all four of his sons went to Cal, including two who earned varsity letters and national championships in collegiate boxing and USA Rowing.

Bob loved everything about athletics. Besides playing on several baseball and basketball teams, he was a creative and talented sportswriter in both high school and college at Arkansas. Bob loved playing any sport with his sons and many neighbor kids, coaching Little League, and he passed on his love of the outdoors and hiking to all his sons and grandkids. Inspired by Brandt’s success, in the early 1970’s Bob went “all in” on the distance running boom, and was thrilled to twice win the Family Division at the Honolulu Marathon with his sons Kurt and Mark. At age 90, Bob was still walking 5 miles at a stretch.   

Bob loved being with his family on adventures, highlighted by his astute  purchase of the family cabin in Yosemite in 1964. Simply known by all as “the cabin”, that rustic outpost has been the centerpiece of family fun ever since, as it is still enjoyed by all of Bob and Jo’s descendants, regardless of where they live. His adventurous spirit was further spiked by the great travels he and Jo enjoyed in their retirement -- visiting 40 countries on 6 continents. Bob’s many travel highlights included: cruising the major rivers of 5 continents, the Great Wall, all of Europe, an African safari, the Great Pyramids, Latin America, and Asia, where he watched his youngest son compete in the 1988 Olympic Games. After Jo’s passing in 2005, BobBob carried on as a loving grandfather, including leading his growing crew on international trips and cruises. 

Bob’s hobbies included an insatiable appetite for reading, spirited political discussions, and of course, all things related to competitive athletics. Bob will be forever remembered by his beloved family and friends as a devoted father and consummate friend, smart and witty up to the day of his passing. Bob was honored by his family and close friends at a Celebration of Life event in his home. 

Bob honored Jo by establishing a scholarship for future teachers in her name; please consider a donation to “The  Robert J. Zembsch Undergraduate Business Scholarship"  at the Haas School of Business, University of California, Berkeley, CA.