Robert Louis Paul DiPietro

He was born Robert Louis Paul DiPietro on September 1, 1927 in San Francisco, California to Relsa and Angelo DiPietro. Angelo immigrated from Italy and ran his own barbershop until his untimely death in 1936.

Bob was a three sport standout at Lincoln High in San Francisco achieving All City honors in baseball, basketball and football. Those accomplishments led to his 1985 induction into the San Francisco Prep Hall of Fame. The highlight of his prep career was being chosen to play in the Esquire Magazine All American Boys Baseball Game coached by Ty Cobb and Babe Ruth. While he was named captain of the west team and backed it up with a solid performance, his humble recollection was, “Talk about a dumb kid who was in awe of his surroundings…I never got a single autograph!”

After signing a professional baseball contract with the Boston Red Sox he did a short stint in the U.S. Army as World War II wound down. His 13 year pro baseball career was highlighted by a “cup of coffee” with the Red Sox in 1951. His fondest memories of Boston include sharing a dugout with Ted Williams and throwing out Mickey Mantle at home plate.

While baseball was his first love, he met his most enduring love, Bertie Louise Jeffrey, in 1950. Their marriage produced two boys, and a loving partnership of more than 61 years.

The family moved to Yakima in 1960 where Bob went to work in the KIMA television sales department. An affinity for advertising led him to join Bob Phillips as a partner at Smith, Phillips & DiPietro Advertising & Public Relations.

Together Bob and Bob built a successful and respected small business.

Bob loved the Yakima community and the feeling was mutual. He was honored with the Ted Robertson “Man of the Year” award in 1994. His caring led to a long and broad career of charity event support. His skills as an emcee put him in high demand and he rarely disappointed.

Bob DiPietro was a good member of our community, a devoted family man, and a genuinely good person. He will be missed immeasurably.

He is survived by his wife Bertie, sons Bob and Mark and their wives Sheryl and Marcy, grandchildren Kiley, Joe, Lexi and Paul.

A Memorial Celebration of Bob’s life will be held at West Side Church, 6901 Summitview Ave., on Monday, September 10 at 2pm. Following the service a reception will be held at the church.

To share loving memories go to www.keithandkeith.com.