Robert Austin Zender

Robert (Bob) Austin Zender died on February 1, after a seven-year battle to recover from a stroke in March 2007. He had a positive, infectious good nature that touched and influenced his family, friends, customers and colleagues. If you met Bob once, you never forgot him. Bob enjoyed a good laugh and was well known for his corny jokes and puns. Robert Zender was born in Brooklyn, NY, and grew up in Valley Stream, NY before moving with his family to Palo Alto, CA in his senior year of high school. He served in the Marine Corps both as a Reservist and on active duty. After his service, he returned to school and received his Bachelor's degree in Industrial Arts and Fine Arts from San Jose State College (now San Jose State University) in 1957. Bob began working for IBM in 1955 and held many different positions in the San Francisco Bay area and Sonoma County before retiring in 2000 after a 45-year career. His customers loved him and he adored them as well. Bob and his wife, Linda, moved to Sutter Creek from Rohnert Park CA as "weekenders" in 1991 and as full timers in 2000. They both loved the Sierra foothills and wanted Sutter Creek to be their retirement home. His interests included drawing, photography, piano, music, computers, reading, writing and tending to his many collections. Bob also loved to travel. He and Linda made numerous trips to various spots around the globe; England, Scotland, Wales, France, Italy, Germany, Switzerland, Austria, Mexico, Central America, China and Hong Kong. He was a member of American Legion Post 108 in Amador County. Bob was passionate about anything with wheels; bicycles, cars, motorcycles, model railroads and trains. In the 50s, he built his own hot rod, and in later years he loved riding his Harley, driving his 1931 Model "A" Roadster and his 1962 Lotus Super Seven. He was preceded in death by his father, Frederick Zender, mother, Elisabeth (Renshaw) Zender and his older sister, Marion Shaffer. Bob had four children with his first wife, Ruth Sutton McMullin. He leaves behind his wife of 30 years, Linda (Vermette) Zender; daughter Michelle Zender of Los Angeles, CA; Lynn Zender (Joe Sarcone) of Anchorage, AK and their daughters Helena and Lia; John Zender (Yan Jia) of Mountain View, CA and their daughter, Kiya; and Charlie Zender of Irvine, CA and his daughters, Olivia and Ruby. He also leaves his younger sister, Barbara Redeker of San Jose and her children and grandchildren and the children and grandchildren of his sister Marion. Bob was a truly wonderful, kind-hearted man who will be missed by his family, friends and colleagues.Inurnment will be private. There will be a lunch and Celebration of Life on Sunday, March 16 at noon in Thomi's banquet room at 627 South Hwy 49, Jackson, CA. If you wish to make a donation to honor Bob's memory, please consider either the American Stroke Association (www.donate.heart.org) or Hospice of Amador (www.hospiceofamador.org).