
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Robert B. "Bob" Wilhelm on July 17, 2024 at the age of 97. He joined Rotary in Butte, California on January 1, 1959. When work took him to San Francisco in 1975, Bob became a member of the Rotary Club of San Francisco from March 30, 1976 to July 1, 2012 and served as our Club's President from 1993 to 1994. After moving to San Rafael, Past President Bob continued to be active in Rotary until 2019.
Bob was the former managing director of the St. Francis Hotel. He joked that he started his job at the St. Francis “with a bang.” His very first day, escorting then-President Gerald Ford back to his motorcade, Bob heard a loud “pop” from a crowd of onlookers. The secret service quickly spirited Ford into a car and sped off, and Bob quickly realized that they had both survived an assassination attempt. More information on Bob's life and his Celebration of Life will be posted here when available.
Sharing Some Memories of Robert
Here are memories from some of our Club's leaders who had worked with and known Past President Bob:
Bob was a stellar Rotarian - always giving when asked. In the halcyon days of yore, Bob served as the General Manager of the fabled Westin St. Francis where our Club often hosted Board meetings, the Annual Dinner with auction, and other events. Our Club members then included managers of multiple prestigious hotels, and Bob was the leader of the group.
Upon return from the first very successful Rotaplast mission to La Serena, Chile in 1993, attended by a dozen or so members of the Club with spouses, Bob, as President-elect, responded to a query of whether the Rotaplast project would continue the next year. Bob enthusiastically replied, “Absolutely,” and it did.
Bob was greatly aided in all endeavors by his wife Irene, who designed beautiful silk scarves including several with Rotary designs. Bob and Irene were wonderful friends and will be missed greatly.
~ PDG Peter Lagarias (1992-1993 Club President and 2001-2002 District 5150 Governor)
Bob Wilhelm was a huge force in the Rotary Club of San Francisco when I first became a member. He served as President during the beginning of my tenure at the Club. As General Manager of the St. Francis Hotel, he was a force to be reckoned with and always used his position to benefit the Club. My impression of him was always as an elegant representative of the Rotary Club of San Francisco. I personally benefited from him when I was involved in a gala that I had to organize as incoming President of our Club. He negotiated a wonderful arrangement for me and the Club with the hotel. Bob will be missed.
~ Anita Stangl (2006-2007 Club President and 2012-2016 President of the San Francisco Rotary Foundation)
Bob taught me a lot about how to be a good leader. He was patient. He listened well. He was generous with praise. He always stayed calm and non-judgmental no matter how difficult the situation.
~ Scott Plakun (2009-2010 Club President)
Robert gave me a warm welcome when I transferred my membership from the Rotary Club of Seattle, the fourth oldest Rotary club in the world! So unassuming, with gentle demeanor, generous, a Rotary leader, and a business leader! Robert was a true example of Service Above Self!
~ Tim Hornbecker (2010-2011 Club President and 2017-2020 President of the San Francisco Rotary Foundation)
I remember Bob as a warm, gracious, and giving human being. He was always a stalwart of our Club. His management of his hotel was recognized throughout the community. There was never a Rotary affair when he was not willing to lend all of the hotel’s resources to our cause. A true inspiration to all who had the fortune to know him.
~ Allan Herzog (Member since 1979)