In Memoriam
Bob Saunders
obituaries Virginia Eleanor James 07/02/44-02/15/17
1943-2017
The Man Who Loved Horses
by J o a n a c o c e l l a
ith the death of the eminent veterinarian Robert Saunders on February 11, 2017, Santa Barbara lost a beloved citizen, and the county’s horses lost a good friend. Bob was born in San Diego in 1943, the second child of Catherine Hartzell Saunders and Colonel William Saunders, a West Point graduate, who was stationed there at the time. After the end of World War II, the family moved to Santa Barbara, and Bob was a Santa Barbara boy for the rest of his life. He attended Garfield Elementary School, Santa Barbara Junior High, and Santa Barbara High. Then he and a friend went on what they called a “tour of the world.” They traveled to New York, got a ride across the Atlantic on a tramp steamer, and hitchhiked through Europe. After his return home, Bob went A KNACK FOR LIFE: As a youngster, Bob Saunders was very good to Santa Barbara Community College at organizing mischief; he later found his footing as a large-animal and then to the University of Califorveterinarian. Below, he introduces a foal to its mother. nia at Berkeley, where he lived with a veterinarian’s family and worked for the vet to pay his rent. That decided his fate. After building a fort where you could sit and tell improper graduating from Cal, he went to UC Davis’s School jokes by candlelight. He had a wonderful soft chuckle. of Veterinary Medicine. Again he worked his way Bob was artistic. He was a very gifted photographer through, mucking out stables and so on. After Davis —his hallways were lined with beautiful photos of his and some postgraduate study, he returned to Santa sons—and he made lovely silver jewelry. He was also a Barbara as a large-animal doctor. In time, he treated wood-carver. He whittled ducks, sandpipers, and other cattle, ostriches, llamas, alpacas birds, which he would then — even a giraffe and an elemount on a slim pole over a phant when a zoo needed help stand incised with the recipient’s name. He said once that — but his business was horses. he would like to illustrate a He must have handled half the horses in Santa Barbara, on one veterinary textbook. Would occasion or another. He was a that he had! volunteer vet for the annual But everything he did, he seemed to be doing for the Fiesta parade. He served on call for the city’s horse shows. sheer enjoyment of it. That included his veterinary pracHe donated time to the Hearts Therapeutic Equestrian Centice. His sister recalls his tellter. He also acted as a mentor ing her, proudly, that he never to students who were planning had to hit a horse. He adored to be veterinarians. They rode animals. After his death, his on call with him in his truck. cousin Vicky Aguilar, lookHis longtime office manager, ing at a photo of him with a Laurie Moon, estimates that colt, said, “Yes, that’s Bobby: his glasses on his forehead maybe a dozen vets in the area went into their profession and something furry by his side.” But you didn’t have to because of him. Bob was very easygoing. have fur for him to be good His sister, Sandy, says, “Bob didn’t get great grades in to you. “We’re all better off for having had Bob in our school, but he got good grades, and he didn’t do a darn lives,” his widow, Breehan Saunders, said. thing.” He was just very intelligent and had a knack He died, of leukemia, four days after his 74th birthfor things. This carried over into his adulthood. If he day. He is survived by his widow; his sister, Sandra invited you to dinner, you were sure to have a feast Traviss; his sons, Christopher, Matthew, Benjamin, and — lime-basted barbecued turkey for Thanksgiving, Andrew Saunders; and his grandchildren, Pearl and with stuffed chili peppers—but it might not be ready Nina Saunders. A memorial service will be held at the until 9 p.m. (It was a good idea to eat something before Hearts Therapeutic Equestrian Center in Santa Barbara going to see him.) on Sunday, April 9, from 1-4 p.m. In place of flowers, He always seemed to be having fun. His cousins donations may be sent to the Hearts Equestrian Center loved him because when they were young, he was very (P.O. Box 30662, S.B., CA 93130; heartsriding.org) or to good at organizing mischief: sneaking out of the house the Equine Sanctuary of Ojai (1187 Coast Village Rd., after lights out, affixing marshmallows to the neigh- S.B., CA 93108; theequinesanctuary.org) in memory of bors’ front doorknobs, rolling corn-silk cigarettes, him. n
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On February 15th I saddled up one last time and rode off into the sunset. This has been a great ride. I go to my Maker content in the life He gave me. Most obituaries are devoted to a recitation of a person's life events. Those who knew me know my story; those who didn't don't really care. I choose to use this space to give thanks to those who contributed to the wonderful memories I take with me. Some of them are: Grandpa and Grandma, Doris and Monty, Dwight and Alice, Karen and Jack, Marcia, Marta and Marcia, Steve, Joni and Joe from HP, Ralph, John and Judy from BVS, Sara in Fallbrook, Lorraine, Gene and Sally, Mary, Janet, Mister Dave, Kief and Jenifer, Schuyler, Jesse and, of course, Drake. Thank you all. If you would like to make a donation in my memory, there are a lot of hungry people in the world and your local food bank would welcome your gift.
During World War II she was then a teenager and participated in USO dances along with her friends. She came from a very patriotic family of Italian heritage who were very proud to be Americans. Darlene married Robert Postel in 1953 at Mount Carmel Church in Montecito and went on to give birth to three children. Claudia Wilberger (Gary), Robert Postel and Christine McAfee (William). She had three granddaughters, Robin Wilberger, Rachel McAfee and Nina McAfee. She was very proud of her family. Darlene is survived by her children, grandchildren and sister Lorraine Giorgi Morey. She leaves her cousins Dennis Feeley (Connie) and Annette Mendez. Her nephew Justin Bosio, (Cheryl) and Justine, Sheldon and Lindsay Bosio. The family would like to thank Senior Advocates Residential Care where she lived for one year. The love, care and excellent food that she raved about are very much appreciated. “As Time Goes By” (one of her favorite songs), we realize how important family is. To love and be loved, to have a sense of humor which Darlene certainly had and to be the best we can be will be our legacy. Darlene lived a long life and passed peacefully of natural causes. She will be greatly missed by family and friends. In lieu of flowers we ask that you donate to your favorite charity. Private service at Calvary Cemetery, March 23rd at 1:00 p.m.
Darlene Giorgi Postel 12/03/28-03/07/17
Death Notices Darlene Giorgi Postel, 88, passed into the Kingdom of Heaven on March 7, 2017. Darlene was born on December 3, 1928 to Mario and Lena Giorgi (deceased). She attended Wilson School, La Cumbre Jr. High and graduated from Santa Barbara High School. After graduation she worked at Bank of America before moving on to a permanent job at the Santa Barbara Medical Clinic. She retired after 28 years of employment to enjoy her children, grandchildren and her home and garden. Darlene was an accomplished pianist, playing music from the masters and her favorite songs of the 30’s and 40’s. As a child, she started taking ballet lessons and before we knew it she lived in her toe shoes and became “Miss Twinkle Toes”. She was also a strong swimmer, loved the beach in the summer with her friends Louise, Helen and many others. independent.com
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MarcH 23, 2017
THE INDEPENDENT
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