Bob was born Robert Morton Dahlstedt in San Francisco on September 9, 1942, the first of three boys. The family moved to Oakland when he was six for the health of his younger brother Dennis. The family remained in the same home with aunts and cousins moving in and out from time to time. The Dahlstedts were the stability for the extended family.
The Dahlstedts were caught up in the big road trip phenomenon of the ‘50s and frequently went camping as a family. They started with tents and a station wagon, progressed to a pick-up truck with a slide-on camper in the bed, and then went through several RVs. Bob’s dad, Mort, often accompanied the boys when they camped with the Boy Scouts. The whole family went with the neighbors along the coast and at R Ranch, where Bob bought the family a membership.
Scouting was important to Bob and his dad. They started with Cub Scouts, then Boy Scouts, and lastly Explorer Scouts. Bob went as far as achieving Star Scout rank. They were both excited about attending the 1957 Boy Scout Jamboree in Valley Forge.
After graduating from high school in 1960, Bob decided to go into the service. He needed parental permission, and his mom insisted he visit each recruiting office. When he came back ready to join the Navy, she asked about the ones "with the pretty uniforms," so he went back out to talk to the Marines. The recruiter took one look at Bob and said, "You'll never make it through boot camp." With a challenge like that Bob was on his way to MCRD two weeks later. He made it through three years, 6 months and 16 days. Most of his time was spent in North Carolina.
After his service Bob got into retail and college, working at Macy's while going to Cal State Hayward and living at home. He graduated from college in 1970. A sworn bachelor, he met Beverly at Macy's and changed his mind. Their "dates" were ski weekends with plenty of time to talk while on the ski lifts. They were married in 1971.
Bob changed careers in 1973, about the time Aaron was born, going into financial planning with WESCO Securities. His career had its ups and downs, and in 1990 when Beverly started teaching, Bob changed companies to work with Aladino Financial Services, a small group of men who had left the company before him. Bob’s primary professional contribution is preparing taxes as an enrolled agent, so his busiest part of the year is February through April. Through the rest of the year he also does financial consultation.
Bob enjoys reading as much as Beverly enjoys gardening. Fortunately reading is easier on the back. He has collected a large number of his favorite books, but most are paperback books . One of his current favorite authors is WEB Griffin.
2000
1985
1944