Bob Yant, a 65-year resident of San Benito County and a respected Hollister businessman, passed away on Thursday, February 16, 2012, after a short illness. He passed away in his son’s home in San Francisco. He was 92.
Robert William Yant was born on Aug, 2, 1919 in Albion, IN. After an early childhood in Indiana, he moved with his family to Los Angeles. He spent four years during World War II with the U.S Army Corps of Engineers in the Pacific Theater, operating an electric dredge in Honolulu, Guam and Japan.
Upon returning from the war in 1947, he moved to Hollister and went to work in his father’s electrical contracting business. He went on to own and operate the business, which included an electrical appliance store, for more than 60 years. He made many friends during his years on San Benito Street, as customers knew they would alway! s find a good deal, friendly smile and a great story at Enterprise Electric.
A generous man, he was honored in 2002 by the Community Foundation of San Benito County on National Philanthropy Day for his work on behalf of the YMCA.
Bob loved the San Francisco 49ers and was a season ticket holder for more than 50 years. He also was a big fan of the San Francisco Giants and took his family to many baseball games at Candlestick Park. He was also an avid golfer and was proud of his No. 1 status as the owner of the first membership at Ridgemark Golf and Country Club, where he once made a hole-in-one.
He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Minnie May Yant of Hollister; son Robert William Yant Jr. of Newport Beach and his wife Ann, and son Larry Yant of San Francisco and his wife Abbie. He is also survived by three grandchildren, Jessica Yant of Madrid, Spain, and Robert and Jackson Yant of San Francisco. In addition, he is survived by numerous nieces and nephews and many friends.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to one of the two following organizations: The CST Regeneration Project at the UC Irvine Foundation, c/o Tania Jope, 2107 Gillespie Neuroscience Research Facility, Irvine, CA. 92697. Checks can be made out to the UCI Foundation, with CST Regeneration Project in the memo line. Or the Saint Francis Memorial Hospital Foundation, 900 Hyde Street, Suite 1208, San Francisco, CA. 94109; or they may be mailed in care of the Grunnagle Ament Nelson Funeral Home 870 San Benito St., Hollister, CA 95023
A memorial service will be held Thursday, Feb. 23, 2012, at 11:00 A.M. in the Hollister United Methodist Church, Fifth and Monterey Streets, Hollister. A reception will be held at the church following the service.
Visit: www.grunnagle.com for condolences.
