Robert Lance Hunter, 85, of Dublin, CA, died Wednesday, 10 April 2024, in San Ramon.
Born Robert Lance McNamara on June 29, 1938 in Warren, Ohio to the late Norwood and Hazel (Hunter) McNamara, he was raised by his maternal grandparents, Samuel and Beatrice Hunter, whose surname he adopted at age 21. He graduated Trumbull High School in 1956 and went on to study business administration at Youngstown State University, where he participated in ROTC and graduated in 1960. There he developed a love of Jazz, especially Miles Davis.
He joined the Army in 1960 and worked as a logistics officer. His service included two tours of Vietnam, where he served in the 101st Airborne Division and earned a Purple Heart and Bronze Star. He retired as a major after 20 years. While in the Army, he earned a master's degree in logistics from Florida Institute of Technology.
After retiring from the Army, Bob worked for Bechtel Engineering in Colstrip, MT. Upon returning to the Bay Area, he continued working in logistics for Westinghouse Marine Division (later Northrop Grumman). He retired in 2001, and at age 65 began working on a teaching credential. He worked at Valley High School in Dublin for 10 years as a resource specialist, where he was well-loved by his colleagues (who referred to him lovingly as "Sponge Bob") and students.
Bob was a lifelong collector and enjoyed learning all he could about fly fishing, military history, sound equipment, the manufacture of musical instruments, railroads, pocket watches, Japanese swords, and Judaism.
He found a deep sense of purpose through his participation with the Boy Scouts of America, achieving the rank of Eagle at 15, and serving as a beloved volunteer when his children were active in the program. He was devoted to the idea of empowering young people to lead themselves. He strove, in his words, to be a good soldier, which to him meant taking care of the people to either side of you, and taking extra care with the people under you. This is what made him an excellent scout leader and teacher.
He is survived by his wife of 46 years, Elyse Eisner, and children, Rachel Hunter (Michael Hansen) of Portland, OR, and Sam Hunter of Berlin, Germany.
Donations in Bob's name can be made to the White Stag Association via <https://www.whitestagassociation.org/>
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