Roberta Schleer Martin

Roberta "Bobbie" Schleer Martin passed away peacefully at home in San Mateo at the age of 92.

A California native, Bobbie was born and raised in Hollister, CA to Robert and Rose Schleer. A rural upbringing of Swiss-German heritage during the Great Depression instilled in her a strong work ethic, appreciation for the natural world, and a dedicated practice of thriftiness. She cut apricots for a nickel a tray at the age of five when she started school at the Santa Ana one-room schoolhouse (relocated and dedicated in 1998 at History Park, San Jose, CA). Her fond memories of school years at Santa Ana and Enterprise one-room schoolhouses, inspired Bobbie to pursue a profession in teaching. After graduating from Hollister High School in 1947, she earned her teaching credential from San Jose State and taught elementary school in Willows and Woodland, CA. Moving from these rural communities to Aruba gave her an opportunity to travel and explore parts of South America and teach at the American School for the families of Esso (Standard Oil of New Jersey) where she met Richard "Dick," her husband for nearly 45 years. Together they relocated to Libya and enjoyed traveling in Europe.

Bobbie and Dick returned to California and settled in the Bay Area in the early 60s to raise their son, Carl, and daughter, Lynn, in Burlingame. Bobbie joined the PTA, led the Brownies, became a dedicated Coyote Point docent, and later returned to education as a private tutor for international students and an aid at Lincoln Elementary School where she strove to keep penmanship alive. She was a voracious reader of non-fiction, frequented museums and held an affinity for Asian and contemporary art, as well as the symphony and opera. True to her farmland roots, Bobbie was passionate about gardening (an early adopter of composting), nature walks, and bird watching; she was an expert seamstress, knitter, and crafter/maker in and out of the kitchen. In the 70s she frequently did her local errands on her orange folding Raleigh bicycle. She practiced tai chi and meditation; loved playing games and solving puzzles with her grandsons, and teaching them the value of earning and saving a dollar, and quietly cherished quality time with family and friends. Bobbie will be fondly remembered as the family historian for her dedication to innumerable hours spent researching and compiling her family tree and some surprising stories in honor of her roots for the next generations.

Bobbie was predeceased by her husband, Richard, and sisters, Christina and Violet, and is survived by son Carl (Janet), grandsons Patrick (Stephanie) and Nicholas (Jeryl), daughter Lynn (Matt), and many nephews and great-nieces-nephews.

The family is grateful to the Sterling Court community who provided Bobbie with 7 years of relaxed living where she enjoyed music recitals, art and history lectures, and pinochle.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Burlingame Public Library, CALL Primrose and Filoli Historic House and Gardens.

Published in Hollister Free Lance · November 18, 2022