Robert Poyner's Obituary
On August 15, 2018 Robert Richard “Dick” Poyner passed away, listening to Frank Sinatra and enjoying his family, until his last breath. Dad was the middle son, born in Waterloo, Iowa on August 14, 1926. To Harry Poyner and Gertrude Hill.
On this first day of school Robert showed up to find out his cousin, who had the same name, Robert Richard Poyner, was going to the same school and in the same class, so to avoid confusion Dad was forever known as “Dick”.
After graduating from high school, Dick joined the army, before being shipped off to Germany during WW ll, he married his high school sweetheart Gwendolyn Darlene Philip. Upon his return he purchased a grocery store which was named Poyner’s Grocery Store.
He later went to work for Libby Foods and then spent years working at Del Monte Foods working his way up in the company. Forever a mover and a shaker, we had to move seventeen times in twenty three years for the betterment of the family. Sometimes we would unpack then repack the following year. He eventually became one of the Vice Presidents of Del Monte Foods.
In the family’s last move, from New York to Oakland, Dick changed jobs becoming one of the Vice Presidents of Clorox. One of Dad’s ideas for Clorox came while sitting enjoying ribs at Emil Villas Hickory Pit in San Leandro, Dad’s idea to purchase the restaurant in 1979 helped it expand to over nine restaurants.
In Oakland, being community minded, Dick owned several apartment buildings and a laundromat. He could see the potential in people and was generous with his time to help further their abilities.
During retirement he never slowed down. Dick gave back to his community, as a Deacon at Park Blvd. Presbyterian Church, President of AARP and Montclair Lions Club. His last move was to Lake Park Retirement Residence where he became a member of the board.
He had a passion for cards ranging from around the family table to the poker tournaments in Las Vegas. Weekly football picks, golfing, racquette ball, horseback riding, snow skiing and fine cars, the more competitive, the more exciting!
He is survived by his brother James Poyner and wife Donna Poyner, his children Doug Poyner, John Poyner and wife Becky Van Kleeck, Patricia Poyner and husband Robert Cenzer, DeAnn Poyner and husband Jonathan Haase, along with twelve grandchildren and fifteen great grandchildren, nothing brought him greater happiness than his family.
He was preceded in death by his wife of sixty-six years Gwendolyn, his brother Don and his grandson Nicholas Barrett.
Dick was a wonderful father, grandfather, great grandfather, mentor, friend and much more.
He will be greatly missed by the people’s lives that he has touched.
Dad will rest in eternal peace at the Elmwood Cementary in Waterloo, Iowa.
Celebration of Dick’s life to be held at:
Lake Park Retirement Residence
1850 Alice Street, Oakland CA
Saturday, August 25th 2018 in the Vista Room from 6:00 pm until 9:00 pm.
Please fee free to come and share with us your best stories of his life.
The family asks that in lieu of flowers a donation be made in his name, to the Montclair Lions Club Foundation, C/O Gary Wong President, P.O. Box #13074, Oakland,
CA 94661.
If you have a pair of eye glasses that you would like to donate at the time of the service there will be a donation box provided.
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