Robert J. Yates: 9/24/1964 – 10/30/2007
Robert J. Yates, known as “Robb” to family and friends, entered into rest peacefully at home in Sunnyvale, on Oct. 30, 2007. He was 43 years old. Robb was born in Mountain View. He is the loving son of Barbara Bignotti Johnson, and is survived by his best friend “Buddy” the Lab. Robb joined the U.S. Navy after graduating from high school in 1983. His first tour of duty was on the USS Independence CV62, which took him on a Mediterranean cruise. Robb was stationed in several military installations and finished his eight-year Navy career at Moffett Field. He was a mechanic with Delta Airlines for 16 years. He loved the outdoors and will always be remembered for his love of fly-fishing and camping at his favorite place, Pinecrest. He taught fly-fishing at the sporting expos, and the local fly shops in the San Mateo and San Jose area. Robb’s first camp trip to Pinecrest Lake was when he was 9 years old. For the next 33 years, he spent almost every weekend and all his vacation time in the mountains. Robb’s mom had a cabin in Twain Harte for many years, which gave him the opportunity to participate in a lot of local fishing activities. He taught fly tying classes, helped plant trees with U.S. Forest Service. He was a charter member of the Tuolumne County Fly Casters and enjoyed their monthly dinners at Diamond Jim’s. He loved to work at the Free Fishing Day at Pinecrest Lake for the children sponsored by the Kiwanis Club and Forestry Service. Robb fought a long, hard battle with colon cancer. He had a military funeral and was laid to rest in Gates of Heaven, Los Altos. Please visit the quest book at http://www.mercurynews.com. Above, Robert is pictured with Buddy.
