Robert (Bob) Thorp Sr. 86, died peacefully with his family by his side on October 14, 2018. Bob was a lifelong resident of Greenfield and prided himself on the service of his community.
Over the course of his life he served on the Clark Colony Water Board, the Greenfield School Board, the Greenfield Memorial Board, he was a Charter Member of the Greenfield Rotary Club, part of the Monterey County Grand Jury, a Salinas Elks Member, Greenfield American Legion member, and supporter of many local organizations.
Bob was born in Salinas, California to Joseph and Ida Thorp of Greenfield on May 21, 1932. He was raised in Greenfield California with his younger siblings Bud, and Joanne on the family’s ranch. It was at the age of 15 he met his future wife Frances Martignoni, while she was working in his father’s apricot orchards. Bob later went on to serve in the Korean War, and it was upon his arrival home that Bob and Frances would marry on July 2, 1955. They would go on to have four children Bobby, Jim, Brian, and Kathy.
Bob worked hard farming apricots, then later moving row crops and retired for the first time in 1983. However, he wasn’t done just yet! He then began his second career in real estate, this is where his true passion was. Bob worked for TNT real estate for over 30 years, never actually retiring. He worked up until the last days of his life focusing mainly on commercial real estate. Even up until the end he said he was always “building new shopping centers in his head.”
Bob enjoyed traveling, family BBQ’s, his morning coffee group, being a pilot to his family and friends in his younger years, a good cross word puzzle, The San Francisco Chronical, and Fox News!
He was a loving husband, father, brother, grandfather, and great grandfather. He will truly be missed by all.
Bob was proceeded in death by his mother Ida (Renz) Thorp, his father Joseph Thorp, as well as his son Brian Thorp.
He leaves behind his beloved wife of 63-years Frances Thorp, Children Bobby (Pat) Thorp of Greenfield, Jim (Joanne) Thorp of Greenfield, and Kathy (Steve) Silva of Paso Robles. As well as grandchildren Amy (Doug) Hidalgo of Templeton, Carson Thorp of San Diego, Janet and Joey Thorp of Greenfield, Spencer, Cooper, and Gabriella Silva of Paso Robles. As well as two great grandsons Van and Gage Hidalgo of Templeton. Siblings Bud (Diane) Thorp of Greenfield, and Joanne Leach of Salinas.
A Public viewing will be held at Eddington Funeral Home 429 Bassett St King City California, on Thursday October 25, 2018 at 5:00.
Private burial.
Please join us in celebrating Bob’s life at the Greenfield Memorial Hall 615 El Camino Real Greenfield California, on October 26, 2018 at 12:00.
In Lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Robert Thorp Sr. Memorial Scholarship fund. Mail donations to Greenfield High School Scholarship Committee 225 S El Camino Real, Greenfield Ca 93927.
Arrangements were entrusted to Eddington Funeral Services, 429 Bassett St., King City, (831) 385-5400, www.EFS-Cares.com .
