The North Coast wine community is mourning the loss of legendary educator and leader Robert “Bob” Fraser, who passed away on May 13th at the age of 75 after suffering cardiac arrest.
The Press Democrat reports over a four-decade career, Fraser left an indelible mark on California’s wine region, spending 30 years building Santa Rosa Junior College’s nationally recognized wine education program.
Beyond the classroom, he was the driving force behind major wine events, founding the massive San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition and leading the Sonoma County Harvest Fair judging.
Colleagues, judges, and former students are remembering Fraser today not just for his efficiency and fierce integrity, but for his radiant warmth, infectious humor, and down-to-earth humility.
He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Cary, his children, and grandchildren.
A public celebration of life is scheduled for Sunday, July 12th, at the Cloverdale Citrus Fairgrounds, and the family requests that memorial donations be made to a scholarship fund through the Cloverdale FFA.
