Bob Stone community leader, philanthropist dies Bob Stone community leader, philanthropist dies

Jesse Robert “Bob” Stone, a leading citizen of Sonoma Valley who set a new Sonoma Valley standard for community involvement and philanthropy, died Monday, Aug. 3, at his home. He was 91.

To many of us in Sonoma Valley, Bob Stone was one of the finest, kindest, wisest and most generous men we’ve ever known. If his obituary included even half the fond remembrances and good feelings of local residents who knew him, we’d need several entire editions of the Index-Tribune to print them. 

I first met him in the 1980s when he joined my dad, Robert Lynch, along with Rich Peterson and Jerry Casson, in the task of planning, raising funds for and building Vintage House senior center.

Bob and his wife, Carolyn, moved to Sonoma Valley from Minneapolis, Minnesota, in 1979. He also brought his electronics import business, World Products, with him and set up shop on Eighth Street East. It wasn’t long before both he and Carolyn were deeply involved in community activities. Vintage House was their first big one.

He was born and raised in Illinois and graduated Summa Cum Laude from the University of Illinois, Champaign, with a degree in electrical engineering. He also served in the USMC during World War II.

A member of the Sigma Chi Fraternity, he was one of only 20 people who have ever been given the title of “Foundation Board of Governor: Emeritus” in the history of the fraternity, after he served on the Sigma Chi Board of Governors. He was a member of the “The Order of Constantine” which is the highest honor that a Sigma Chi can receive for service to the fraternity and he was also a “Significant Sig” which is the highest award that a Sigma Chi can receive in recognition of distinguished service in professional endeavors. 

Former Sonoma Police Chief John Gurney added, “He was instrumental in establishing the Wine County Sigma Chi Alumni Association. He created the ‘Corner Stone’ leadership program, helping many young men across the country to be leaders in their personal and ultimately professional lives … I know Sigma Chi was a huge part of his life that many may not have even been aware about in Sonoma. His generosity expanded far beyond Sonoma Valley.”

With his leadership of local projects for Vintage House, the Field of Dreams, Boys & Girls Clubs, El Nido Teen Center, Sonoma Valley Hospital, Valley schools, and so many more, he not only earned numerous friends, but also the respect of everyone with whom he worked.

Bob was the first person we called when my wife, Dottie, and I began the plan to build the Field of Dreams behind the police station. Gary Nelson, another community benefactor who mirrors Bob’s leadership, talent, energy and generosity, was the chairman of our effort to raise the money and get the field built.

Gary and I recall that Bob was the prime mover in fundraising for the Field of Dreams, a lead organizer of the project. We’ll both never forget seeing Bob, his overalls and baseball cap on, with mud up to his elbows, laying pipe for the field’s sprinkler system. He was out there several days a week digging holes, laying pipe and seeding grass at the age of 72.

After completing that project, Bob, Gary and I, and many others, moved to the next big one – getting the new Boys & Girls Club built in Maxwell Park.

It wasn’t just Bob’s hard work that made these projects successful, it was also his ability to get so many other key local leaders to work hard with him.

Louann Carlomagno, current superintendent of the Sonoma Valley Unified School District, recalls, “I first met Bob when I was teaching middle school in 1996. He came to my classroom and simply asked what I needed to better prepare my students for success in science and math, and I talked about the benefits of a computer lab. I still remember him coming back to my classroom with a $30,000 check in hand and he simply said, get the students what they need. I was speechless and incredibly thankful. I had never experienced that type of generosity in my teaching career.

“He and I remained close over the years. He was a dear friend and mentor. When I became curriculum director, he and I talked regularly about how to best engage our high school students with career technical education – this was a passion of his. He was thrilled when we started the Engineering and Sustainable Ag Academies at SVHS and visited the high school this past spring to take a look at the programs. He was always such a strong advocate for public education.

“When I became superintendent, our friendship continued to blossom; he was one of the first community members to call and congratulate me on leading the district – it made my heart sing. He was tireless in his efforts to be sure that students were prepared for both college and career when graduating from SVHS. It was his counsel and thinking which really influenced my vision for the school district’s work on so many levels. 

“The children in this valley should be thankful each and every day for all that Bob Stone has done to contribute to their successful educations.”

Les Vadasz, a major supporter of local schools recalls, “Bob and I both had a strong interest in public education. Over the years, we collaborated on a number of projects, trying to improve our education system in Sonoma. We discussed some successes, some challenges we both had. As usual, Bob had a laser-sharp ability to understand the issues. He was a fine man. I will miss our discussions, and our collaborations.”

Both Bob and Carolyn were involved in so many community fund-raising projects both as hands-on workers and leading contributors that it would be difficult to find a worthy local project in which he or she wasn’t involved.

They were named honorary alcaldes by the City of Sonoma in 1996 in recognition for their 16 years of dedication to making the community better. But their community involvement and generous support for local nonprofits didn’t end there.

Mike Nugent recalls that one year the City of Sonoma didn’t have any funds for the annual city party and couldn’t afford a band. Bob Stone stepped up and paid for the band.

Nugent also spoke of Bob Stone’s support for Sonoma Valley Hospital.

“Bob Stone raised the bar at the (hospital) district. His level of expertise was invaluable to us. He not only understood our finances, he challenged us to think out of the box. I remember one day in particular when he came to a Finance Committee meeting – which shocked us all because he was recuperating from a rattlesnake bite.

“Then during the meeting, his lips started turning blue and it was apparent he needed medical attention. To me, his determination to be at the meeting demonstrated his dedication to the district. But what I most admired about Bob Stone was his desire to help the hospital be the best it could be.” 

Bob loved music, particularly Dixieland jazz. One summer, he paid the cost of bringing the Jack Daniels Silver Cornet Band from Tennessee to play a benefit concert as a fundraiser at the Field of Dreams. There are countless numbers of stories like that in our community where he stepped up to help a local cause.

Suzanne Brangham, a former alcalde and supporter of many community causes, remembers him as a leader, not a follower. “He marched many of us down philanthropic avenues we needed to travel and explained why. He shared the need for all of us to wrap our arms around the town of Sonoma, giving back to a community that showers a multitude of gifts on us. 

“He was a mentor to me and a guiding light. I shall miss him very much .... especially when we started singing Gershwin, Porter, Lerner and Lowe … acknowledging the fact that he always knew far more of the lyrics than I.”

Kathy Witkowicki, founder and director emeritus of the Sonoma Valley Mentoring Alliance added, “Bob reached out to me when I started the Mentoring Alliance back in the late 1990s. He provided me with the guidance and counsel needed to grow the program plus the funding to make that happen. It was the catalyst for the expansion of the ‘Stand By Me’ Mentoring Program from one school to eight schools. ”

Dave Pier, former executive director of the Boys & Girls Clubs, said he, “… was always thoughtful, with strong opinions, he gave from his heart to things that matter most in this community – quality healthcare and kids. Over the years, he was a sounding board, voice of reason, and most importantly a caring and compassionate man who wanted to help where he could have impact. I will always remember him for his sharp wit, quick chuckle, and generosity to people in Sonoma.”

Bob and Carolyn have remained involved in the community well into the 21st century. It was only recently, as Bob’s health began to fail, that they were forced to slow down.

He was preceded in death by his father, George; mother, Nelle; sisters, Helen Ruth, Jody and Peggy.

He is survived by his wife, Carolyn; children, Michael and Judy (wife) Stone, Brian and Kristi (wife) Stone, Melissa, Christie and grandchildren, Michael and Paulina.

Sonoma Valley is a much better place because of Bob Stone. It isn’t just that Vintage House, the Boys & Girls Clubs and Field of Dreams exist because of what he did, and that so many other local nonprofits and schools benefited from his leadership and generosity, it is that he also created a community culture of generosity and philanthropy while doing it – a culture that will continue to sustain our community institutions and add new ones for decades to come.

There will be a reception in celebration of his life from 2 to 5 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 12, at Saddles Restaurant.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial donations to the Boys & Girls Club of Sonoma Valley, Vintage House or the Sonoma Valley Education Foundation.