Robert Wesley Kreitz, man of honor and humor, died July 27, 2023, the way he lived: quietly, his way, with dignity. We are told all stories require a beginning middle and end and include tension, mystery, love and a solid resolution. Bob’s life is a best seller. And it’s not over.

Bob finally met his last miracle after challenging a rare disease, Acromegaly, for over 40 years. he died five time and returned to earth causing doctors to wonder if he was part cat, a creature he disdained but honored for their nine lives. Bob met his match at life number 6, leaving us to shoot for a a last trip around the moon and a blast into heaven’s realm.

Bob, a life long Alamedan, was born July 6, 1945. His parents, Ralph Kreitz and Elizabeth Botts Kreitz, met at Naval Air Station, Alameda during the war and Bob stayed tied to the base throughout his life. His father contracted polio in the 1945 epidemic and was one of the first people treated in an iron lung. Bob was 18 months old. Ralph was told he would live a few years and he was determined to survive. Ralph lived as a quadriplegic for twenty two years, long enough to see Bob graduate from college.

Bob attended Woodstock, Longfellow and St. Joseph’s High School. He continued his education at Oakland City College joining the Alpha Phi Beta fraternity. Transferring to Cal State East Bay (Hayward, in his day) Bob was President of the Newman Club and continued with his fraternity brotherhood. In 1963 Bob was employed by the State Parks, helping create Crown Beach State Park. His stories of driving a bulldozer in sand and throwing sharks back into the bay and destroying old falling down buildings with a jack hammer were hilarious. He ran the Hayward Plunge, even saving a few lives. His lifeguarding days in college expanded to his managing the Emeryville Swim Center. Bob’s love of swimming and sun was set.

Bob’s professional career began right after graduation when he accepted a job at the Camp Parks Job Corps. His claim to fame is he counseled and taught George Foreman. A 22 year old counseling older, street smart men from across the country. This job framed Bob’s future passion and deeply held belief all people deserve a chance and dignity. Deciding he did want to teach Bob entered Operation Fair Chance, a special Cal State Credential program set in East Oakland with students being part of the East Oakland schools. It was in this program he met Tina Cole. They had a first date in May, were engaged by August and married at Newman Hall, Berkeley in November, 1970. The love and connection they had as idealistic young teachers lasted almost 53 years.

Bob’s first teaching job was at Island High School, Alameda. He was one of the original five teachers. Bob was employed to teach Social Sciences, Math and Vocational Education. Bob thrived as did his students who still contact him. Bob created many job programs for students, developed Career Education programs and expanded AUSD’s Career Technical education programs. He and Rina Austin were the first to include Special Education students in career and job training. In the 1970’s Bob and Rina Austin convinced the Corporate officers of Safeway to hire Special Education students in the Summer Youth programs. This led to Safeway and other national markets to employ Special Education students and adults to hold jobs. Bob believed this one of his best legacies.

After twenty years as a teacher and administrator with AUSD Bob was recruited to be be Superintendent of the Tri-Valley Regional Occupation Program. He thought long and hard about leaving Alameda but took a leap and succeeded in expanding the program to have it become a top ROP in the state. He said his biggest thrill was convincing the University of California system to accept ROP programs for the A-F requirements including Advanced Placement credits, not just electives. CAL Berkeley was first then it spread throughout the system. He retired from the Tri-Valley in 2007 a happy man. He was humble about his successes. His awards were numerous from national and state leaders, educational organizations and professional organizations. Bob never bragged but if you asked him about Career Education, sit down and listen. His passion poured forth and his belief all children and adults can learn, just find the best way for each, was evident.

Bob achieved all this while welcoming three children, Roberta, Erin and Tyler, rebuilding a Victorian house and traveling the country with the children, tent, Tina and a wild sense of adventure. He explored every Civil War battlefield with the kids, showed them all but three National Parks and instilled in his children the thrill of learning something new, eating new and different foods, role modeling never be afraid of taking a chance. And always keep your car clean. He was the planner of magical off the beaten track trips. And he collected friends like some travelers collect mementos. He volunteered to head the annual Edison Elementary Carnival, serve on the Babe Ruth baseball board, participate on the Boys’ and Girls’ club board, direct the Grove Jackson Lawn Chair Drill Team in the 4th of July Parade winning first place for 3 years. Bob loved his city, his children’s activities. He coached, cheered, raised funding for sports and the school district, headed crab feeds and the Bishop O’Dowd Boosters Club. Ask Bob, he’ll be there for children or his hometown. We thought once our children got to college, we would have less commitments. Not Bob. He created and led a Parents Booster Group for Cal Lacrosse, pushed Cal-Poly to change policies protecting women and worked hard on elections that supported education for all. He was a superhero dad. He made sure his children joined him every summer and winter solstice, watching the sun set over the hills surrounding San Francisco Bay and announcing “People pay $5000 to see this and you get it for free. Enjoy it every day!” He found time to join the Alameda Meals on Wheels Friendly Visitors Program, becoming a dear friend to Willie.

For 54 years Bob was an active member of the Newman Center at Cal Berkeley, He shared his leadership and friendliness on every committee and in every event over the years. His belief in a God was a quiet strength he shared. The friendships made have created extended family ties of choice.

As Grandchildren Makenzie, Emerson, Finley Kreitz Shirey, Ethan and Logan Kreitz arrived his heart expanded with love of his “perfect” grandchildren, attended every dance recital, sporting event and school program he could. He was in love with his grand-dogs, visiting and playing with them as he did his children and grandchildren.

Bob’s heart and front door were always open. In the 1970-1990’s NAS sailors were always welcome for Thanksgiving and Christmas celebrations. Family and friends from all areas of the world knew food and drink were waiting at 1320. Bob’s creative BBQ and magical libations are famous from north to south, east to west. Comfortable with who he was he was a best friend, always ready to listen, inquire, support and just when you knew you could trust him fully, he’d kid you mischievously.

We loved his bigness, his height, shoulders, heart, smile, silly humor. He modeled his values of thoughtfulness, integrity, justice, empathy, love. And he modeled how to die with courage, grace and dignity. Bob donated his body to the UCSF Willed Body Program hoping a new doctor will learn more about Acromegaly.

Bob’s wishes to be remembered with donations to the Youth Sport Programs at Alameda Park and Recreation, 2226 Santa Clara Ave, Alameda, CA 94501

Bob will be celebrated with a memorial Mass on Friday, September 1, 2023 at 1PM at Newman Center, Holy Spirit Parish, 2700 Dwight Way, Berkeley, Ca 94704.

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