Roger “Bob” Dunham Gilmore

The world has lost one of its cheeriest, compassionate and most beloved inhabitants in the death of Roger “Bob” Dunham Gilmore on March 18th, 2018. Our Uncle Bob was born on September 11th, 1923 in Santa Rosa, CA to Alma Loreta (Dunham) and Beverly Roger Woodburn Gilmore. He was raised in Berkeley by his mother, Alma, along with his two younger brothers, Dick and Dean, both of whom pre-deceased him. All three brothers went off to serve in WWII … Dick did not come back, his aircraft never found over The Hump.

After having served in the U.S. Army Air Forces during World War II, he settled back in Berkeley/Oakland, where he owned and operated Elmwood Hardware Store on College Avenue for nearly 50 years. Elmwood was the penultimate mom and pop hardware store, known to residents and Cal students alike as the place to go if you needed anything … always served with a genuinely helpful attitude and a friendly smile. The reviews on Yelp are overwhelmingly favorable and woeful that the store is no longer in business: “Elmwood Hardware is a bright shining sun”, just one comment. Bob was, rightfully, very proud of his store.

Uncle Bob was very well known and loved in the community, playing an active role in Rotary Club, Breakfast Club and served as Grand Master of the Masonic Lodge.

Bob is predeceased by his only son, Gary, a pilot tragically killed in an air crash, and by his wife of many years, Jeanette, who worked alongside Bob at the store and kept books in the attic.

As luck would have it, he found his “Golden Girl”, Shirley Mitts, with whom he shared for some 15 years many adventures all around the world and life until his last day. Uncle Bob made it a priority for several years to attend the Indianapolis 500, first with his son, Gary, then with Shirley, where they made their annual pilgrimage! Our Aunt Shirley brought out the joie de vivre in our uncle and we are grateful to her for loving him and making him so happy. In addition, he leaves behind his adopted family: Shirley’s daughters, Nancy (Steve) Lake and Shirlee Nickell … and granddaughters, Amy, Jane and Sarah.

We Gilmore Girls, Laurie and Kelly, will always remember our Uncle Bob with a broad smile on his face and the giver of the best hugs ever. It is now up to our children, Donnie Carlisi, Ryan King, and Molly (Rob) Urnecli and our grandchildren, Sidney, Olivia, Emmy and Liam Dunham to carry on the Gilmore tradition.