Robert Bernard Beste was born on November 5, 1934, although he thought it was November 6 for the first 40 years of his life. He passed away peacefully May 9, 2022, at the age of 87, with his wife Sally Wanek Beste by his side. Bob and his twin brother Bill were the eighth and ninth children born to Hubert Beste and Josephine Volbert Beste in Melrose, MN. He grew up in Milwaukee, WI, where he attended Gesu Elementary and Pius XI High School. He graduated from the University of Wisconsin Milwaukee, then went on to the University of Colorado Boulder. He earned a Master’s Degree in Education from San Jose State University. Bob was a lifelong teacher. He began his teaching career in 1960 at Eldridge Elementary in Hayward, CA, where he met and fell in love with Sally, a fellow teacher. They married on December 26, 1962 in Pensacola, FL. Bob and Sally moved to San Jose, CA in 1964 where they bought an Eichler, their first and only house. Bob worked for San Jose Unified School District until his retirement in 1994, receiving the WHO Award, which is the “We Honor Our Own” Award given by his peers. He was deeply involved with the National Education Association, attending many NEA conventions as a delegate, and was a proud union member. Bob was a devout catholic and a member of St. Christopher Catholic Church for 58 years. He served his church through many volunteer activities, including teaching faith formation classes. Bob and Sally have three children, Deborah Donovan, Robert Beste, and Suzanne Beste Bennett, and six grandchildren, Fiona and Ian Donovan, Ryan and Joshua Beste, and Evelyn and Trevor Bennett, who were the light of Bob’s life. Bob was deeply involved in the grandkids’ lives, teaching them to fish, ski, and enjoy the outdoors. He never let them win a card game. Bob attended every sporting event, dance recital, and orchestra that his kids and grandkids participated in, and there were a lot of them. Bob was a devoted family man. One of Bob’s favorite places on the planet was the Sierra Mountains and the family built a cabin at Kirkwood, CA in 1972. Since Bob and Sally were both teachers, the family spent summers, winter breaks, and long weekends at the cabin. Bob enjoyed high Sierra backpacking trips with his friends, his kids, and their friends. He led back backing trips for the 4-H group his kids were involved in. He made the kids carry the cast iron skillet so trout could be fried over the fire. He could name all the constellations. Bob loved maps and was an avid reader, especially enjoying geography, history, and historical fiction. He also loved music and had an excellent voice. His children fondly remember hearing their Dad sing at mass at Saint Christopher’s, sitting in the pew next to him listening to his deep, graceful voice. Sally and Bob thoroughly enjoyed attending Bay Area cultural events, and especially supported Opera San Jose. Bob grew up in a card-playing family, and he and Sally were members of neighborhood bridge groups for decades. Bob travelled widely with his family and friends and summers were often spent driving across the United States in a Ford Econoline van. A special memory is the Family trip to Europe in 1980, spending a few months driving from Germany to England, with many fun adventures to remember. Bob enjoyed quality time with close friends, there were many great meals with the “Nouveau Gourmets” group and a memorable trip to Italy with stays at villas. He loved to travel the world with great friends, enjoying camping throughout the West, a special Alaska cruise, and travel to Canada and Mexico. Bob suffered a hemorrhagic stroke in late 2015 and survived another six and a half years due to the loving care of his wife and family. Sally had a community of family and friends that supported her and allowed her to keep Bob in the family home for most of that time. Sally’s brother and sister-in-law, John and Teri Wanek, and brother, Bill Wanek, were prepared to help whenever Sally needed them. Fiona, Bob’s oldest granddaughter, lived with Bob and Sally for several months to help with Papa. Bob is survived by his wife Sally, his three children and their spouses, Todd Donovan, Carleen Beste, and David Bennett, his six grandchildren, and his sisters Mildred Dupies, Sr. Jean Evelyn Beste, BVM, and Mary Louise Kelley. He is predeceased by his parents, his brothers Richard Beste, Raymond Beste, Elmer Beste, and William Beste, and his sisters Esther Beste and Irene Callahan. The family is grateful to the many wonderful caregivers who took care of Bob during the last few years of his life, especially Weini Adhanon, Randy Garton, and the caring staff at Vitas hospice and Bon Homie at Willow and Pine care facility. A Funeral Mass will be held at St. Christopher Catholic Church on August 6, 2022 at 11:00am. The church address is 2278 Booksin Ave, San Jose, CA 95125. Funeral arrangements were made by Lima-Campagna-Alameda Mission Chapel, San Jose. The mass will be followed by a reception at the family home.