Robert Leonard Findling

Bob passed away at home on Tuesday, May 6th in San Diego, California. Bob was born to Hilda and John Findling in Ludington, MIchigan the oldest of six children. Bob is survived by his wife Sandra, his children Robert (Veronique), Kathryn Zinsli (Mike “Fritz”) and David (Annette), grandsons Nicholas, Charles, Edouard, Kurt, Peter and Erik, brothers Doug, John, Jeff and sisters Anne Lint and Mary Tesnar. He met the love of his life, Sandy, in Ludington when they were both teenagers at Sandy’s parents’ summer cottage. They married in 1959 after Bob graduated from St. Joseph’s College and Bob got his start in the real estate business with his dad in Ludington. Bob and Sandy moved to St. Joseph, Michigan in 1965 where Bob opened his own commercial real estate company, using the tagline ‘The Red Baron of Real Estate’, and they raised their three children. Bob earned his CCIM, the highest designation in the commercial real estate industry, in the 1967 and enjoyed teaching CCIM courses all over the country for 25 years. Bob was elected President of the CCIM National Association in 1990. Bob and Sandy moved to San Diego in 1979 for year-round golf weather and more real estate opportunity. Bob attended his beloved Notre Dame in 1995, the university for which he held a lifelong passion. Dubbed ‘San Diego Bob’, he was the student that traveled the furthest distance in order to gain his Masters Degree. Bob was active in the San Diego Notre Dame Alumni Club and volunteered weekly at the USO. Known as a prankster with a great sense of humor and never-ending kindness and generosity, his family and Bob’s wide community of friends mourn the loss of this man of immense character and integrity, devoted to his family, friends, God and Notre Dame. In San Diego, Bob’s Visitation will be held on Sunday, May 11th from 2:00 – 6:00 PM followed by a Vigil Service and Rosary beginning at 6:00 PM at Greenwood Memorial Garden in San Diego 4300 Imperial Ave, San Diego, CA 92113. Mass will be at St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church with Father Edward P. McNulty officiating at 11:00 AM on Monday, May 12th at 2802 Cadiz St, San Diego, CA 92110. A light lunch will be served following Mass in the church social hall. In St. Joseph, Michigan, Visitation will be held from 4:00 – 7:00 PM on Wednesday, May 14th at Starks-Menchinger Funeral Home. A liturgical prayer service will begin at 7:00PM followed by light refreshments. Bob’s final resting place will be the Irving Park Cemetery in Chicago, Illinois. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions be made to the University of Notre Dame Robert L. Findling Memorial Scholarship Fund for the children of military families. Please send any contributions to the attention of: Robert L. Findling Memorial Scholarship Fund c/o 1100 Grace Hall, Notre Dame, IN 46556. Condolences can be sent online to www.starks-menchinger.com This obituary will be online at www.sandiegounion.com after Friday, May 9th. http://legacy.com/SignOnSanDiego/Obituaries.asp