Norris Robert “Bob” Dyer, August 20, 1935- April 3, 2017

 NORRIS ROBERT “BOB” DYER, 81 

He is survived by his loving wife of 52 years, Brigitte; his son, Timothy (Donna), his son Kenneth (Geraldine Finton) and his brother Raymond; his sister Beverly Miller and his niece Kathy Cote; his granddaughter Claire; and many close friends.

Bob was born in Portland, Maine in 1935, the son of Raymond and Agnes Dyer, where he lived until moving to Chula Vista, California in 1952.  He attended San Diego State College and graduated in 1958.  After graduating he joined the United States Air Force and was an active duty officer from 1958-1962. While touring in Europe he met his wife, Brigitte (Schneider) whom he married in 1964. 

After serving with the Air Force, Bob joined the State Compensation Insurance Fund in 1965 and worked his way up to State Contract Services Manager with a staff of over 500 employees. While employed, he attended the University of California San Francisco earning a Masters degree in Rehabilitation Administration in 1979. Bob officially retired in 1997, after working for 32 years.

Bob and his family moved to Petaluma in 1975.  After his retirement his passion for wildlife, nature photography, writing, stamp collecting, and education all came together. In his later years, he spent much of his energy supporting the Petaluma Wetlands Alliance. In 2008 he was awarded the designation of “unofficial Mayor of Shollenberger Park”, where he acted as a Senior Docent leading tours and educating children about the wildlife in the area.  Bob was also an active, award-winning member of the Madrone Audubon Society since 1998 and contributed photos, essays, and presentations about the birds and animals of the Petaluma wetlands.  As a senior docent, he trained other docents and led tours for thousands of park visitors over two decades.  He also penned a section in the book Celebrating Petaluma published in 2007.

Here is Bob doing what he loved to do, photography of nature in Shollenberger Park. 

Bob was an avid philatelist (stamp collector) and expert in Newfoundland philately contributing more than 50 articles to stamp news magazines and news letters pertaining to the British North America Philatelic Society, where he also acted as chairman from 2000-2006 and president 2012-2014. He presented his stamps at exhibits at over 60 local, national and international shows, winning multitudes of gold and platinum awards. He was a member of the Redwood Empire Collectors Club and was particularly interested in historical airmail and surcharge stamps involved with the first airmail flights from North America to the UK. 

This is a image of a 1890 stamp sheet he sent me which he evaluated for its “flaws” – note font change. 

Bob’s family is making plans for a celebration of his life. Friends, neighbors and community members will be notified of the specific date which will take place in early summer.     

Memorial contributions may be made in Bob’s name to the Petaluma Wetlands Alliance or your favorite charity.