Obituary of Robert M. Rose

Robert M. Rose passed away in Hollister on February 12, 2017 at the age of 74 years. Robert Michael Rose was born in Tacoma, Washington on April 6, 1942. As a young boy, he lived with his paternal grandmother until he eventually settled into a small ranch for boys. At the ranch, he and the other boys grew vegetables, raised chickens and livestock, and attended school. He used these skills as a member of the Future Farmers of America (FFA) where he raised livestock for show and sale. Robert would talk about his time on the ranch and had many interesting stories to tell. After High School and his time on the ranch, Robert spent 4 years serving for the USCG (Coast Guard). During his time in service he patrolled the waters of Lake Erie, the Hawaii Pacific off of Honolulu, Alaska and Japan. He had fond memories of his time in the USCG and would speak about it often. After the Coast Guard, Robert moved to Hollister, CA to reunite with his sister Mary Lou. In Hollister, he met and married Elvia Haro and they had 2 children, Jennifer and Michael. Robert was an avid hunter and fisherman. He loved to hunt deer and hogs and was the president of a local hunting club for many years. Robert enjoyed fishing of all kinds: lake, stream, fly, and deep-sea. He would tie his own flies and caught many trout with them; but his favorite would have to be deep-sea fishing. The refrigerator was always stocked with the fish he would catch: salmon, sturgeon, and sometimes, albacore or caviar. With all that salmon, he learned how to smoke the fish and would often have 2-3 smokers running outside. The salmon was always good and he enjoyed sharing it with family and friends. Robert was also a very skilled artist. He could draw and paint beautifully but he excelled at duck carving. In 1996, he won 3rd in species for Decorative Lifesized Floating Waterfowl at the Ward World Championship Wildfowl Carving Competition in Ocean City, Maryland and 2nd Place at the 14th Annual North American Waterfowl Carving Championship in Livonia, Michigan. Robert loved his grandkids and expressed it in his own special ways. He liked to play video games with Lucas and fly their remote controlled helicopters and planes. Robert was a good yo-yo thrower in his youth so one day he decided to buy some for Meghan and Lucas and teach them some cool tricks. They really liked that. He would always bring Meghan roses on her birthday, one for every year of her age. That was something special to them both. With Olivia, he would let her sit on his lap and go for a ride in the wheelchair. Then he would steal some kisses from her and that would make him smile. The one thing that all the grandkids shared was a love for Papa’s Cheerios and La-Z-Boy recliner. Whenever they were in the house you could count on one of them to get cozy in his chair. Robert had a huge heart and he cared deeply for his family and friends. Robert had a tough journey in life but he was able to find happiness here in Hollister with Elvia, the Haro family, his sister Mary Lou and the Solano Family. The last few months have been very difficult for him but he has reached a place of rest and peace and we are very grateful for that. Robert is survived by his wife Elvia Rose; daughter Jennifer and husband Greg Bettencourt; son Michael and wife Amy Rose; grandchildren Meghan, Luke and Olivia; as well as his siblings David Rose, Mary Lou Solano and Jim Rose, and many nieces and nephews. Friends are invited to a viewing to pay their respects to Robert at the Grunnagle Funeral Home Chapel on Saturday, February 18th from 2:00 P.M. until 3:00 P.M. , then proceed with the family to Calvary Cemetery for the Committal Service at 3:30. A reception will follow at Paines Restaurant immediately following the Committal Service. Donations are preferred to The Wounded Warriors Project c/o the mortuary.