Robert “Bob” Lee Musgrove died peacefully on Dec. 12, 2011, at his ranch in Santa Ynez, after a long battle with lung disease, his wife Sherry was by his side. He was born to Gladys and Guy Musgrove on Sept. 18, 1930, in Pomona, Calif. He was the younger of two children.
After serving in the Air Force during the Korean Conflict, Bob returned to Pomona and attended Pomona City College. He joined the family business and quickly transformed it into a thriving enterprise, allowing his father to retire. He later sold the company and began his legacy in real estate.
After working in real estate development in Claremont, Calif., Bob accepted the opportunity to work in management for American Hawaiian Steamship Co. on the development of a new planned community, Westlake Village where he moved with his family. He became one of the cornerstone founders of the new community and saw the project to its completion.
Bob loved the area so much that he eventually went into business on his own buying, developing and managing properties throughout the area. He became a very active member of the North Ranch Tennis Club. In addition to being an avid player and volunteer for many years as co-chairperson of the annual “Love Match” Celebrity Tennis Tournament benefiting United Cerebral Palsy with his wife Sherry.
After 30 years in Westlake Village, Bob and Sherry retired to ranch life in Santa Ynez. Bob enjoyed pursuing his favorite activities including tennis, horseback riding with the Santa Barbara Trail Riders, competitive shooting, hunting and working on projects around his ranch.
Bird hunting was Bob’s true passion. His adult life had been filled with numerous bird hunting trips, local and abroad. He enjoyed the early morning suspense as he waited for the sun to rise almost as much as he enjoyed the quality time with family and friends that joined him on each trip.
He was a man of few words, but the words he spoke always carried with them his sense of humor, generosity and good will. Life brings many changes, but nothing will ever undo the wonderful legacy of a lifetime of love. Bob has been and always will be at the heart of a very special family that admires him, appreciates him and loves him very much.
He is survived by his wife of 31 years, Sherry, his children Caryn (Cary), Tracey (Charlie) and Gregg (Corine), Step-daughter Dawn (Sonny) and his grandchildren Breanne, Shauna, Ian, Josh, Casey, Bobby, Brody, Parker and Zane, his sister Betty (Gail) and niece and nephews Cory, Kevin, Darcy and Chad.
A small celebration for family and friends is being planned. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Santa Ynez Gun Club Youth Program at P.O. Box 453, Santa Ynez, CA 93460.
One of Bob’s favorite quotes:
“Talk low, talk slow and don’t say too much”
– John Wayne