Robert Leif Jensen
Bob Jensen, an incredible and loving husband, father, brother, and friend to all, passed away Saturday morning, January 15, 2011, following a motorcycle accident in San Diego. He was on his way to a downtown breakfast meeting with the San Diego Antique Motorcycle Club.
Bob is survived by his beloved wife of 52 years, Fran, a Realtor with Keller-Williams Realty North County, and his daughters, Cindy Jensen (INC Research), and Karen Lindstrom (Callaway Winery, Temecula), both of San Diego. Bob is also survived by his sisters, Dorothy Myhre-Donahue, Staten Island, NY, and Mary Jane Muller, Orlando, FL. Predeceasing Bob were his sister, Peggy Jensen, Albuquerque, NM, and his parents, Mrs. Alice Jensen and Dr. Leif Jensen, former Chief of Surgery at Staten Island Hospital.
Bob graduated from Duke University, where he played on its football team.
Bob and Fran previously owned Viking Construction, Inc. for 30 years, as well as Viking Motel and Plaza, Grand Island, NY. Bob was a member of the Buffalo (NY) Launch Club (even naming his speedboat “Viking”) and a member of the Grand Island Rotary Club (personally exchanging Rotarian Flags in several foreign countries). He was a Director of the Grand Island Chamber of Commerce and President of the Buffalo Home Improvement Council.
Bob and Fran were world-travelers, visiting 38 countries spanning four continents. They enjoyed a very active lifestyle … highlights included snorkeling the Great Barrier Reef in Australia, climbing Macchu Picchu in Peru, visiting the Great Wall of China, and skiing the Austrian Alps. Among his proudest excursions was climbing the Harbour Bridge in Sydney, Australia.
Bob was an avid snow skier and motorcyclist, frequently riding his 1939 Harley (with sidecar) or his 2001 Harley. He was thrilled to have ridden in the famous Glendale “Love Ride” with Jay Leno, Peter Fonda, and Ann Margaret, helping to raise money for charity. Bob was also a member of the Jensen Car Club of San Diego; his pride and joy was a 1974 Jensen Mark IV Convertible.
Bob accumulated an extensive collection of Viking Warrior Figurines and Ships, reflecting his proud Scandinavian Heritage and his previous membership in the Staten Island Sons of Norway. He was also a passionate football fan and a voracious reader.
In 1999 Bob and Fran moved to San Diego, where he subsequently joined Action Window and Door Company and became its most successful sales consultant. A consummate sales professional, Bob was closing sales up until the day before he passed! Living life to the fullest, Bob had returned from snow skiing just three days before his death, never one to pass up an opportunity to “hit the slopes!” We are comforted to know that his final week included his passions for skiing, working out at the gym, driving his convertible, and riding his Harley.
Just as Sinatra’s song goes, Bob Jensen, the epitome of a true gentleman, certainly “did it his way!”
Always a kind and generous man, Bob was an organ donor; he will be cremated. A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, January 29, 2011, at 11:00 a.m. at Faith Lutheran Church, 700 E. Bobier Drive, Vista, CA 92084. A Celebration Reception to commemorate Bob's life will follow.
In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that any donations be made to: SCRIPPS CENTER FOR INTEGRATIVE MEDICINE, c/o Dr. Mimi Guarneri, 10820 North Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, CA 92037.