Robert K "Bob" Laney, 1939-2026

Bob was born in Flint, Michigan and moved to the Los Angeles area with his family. He enjoyed being with his grandparents and learned from his grandfather who was a house painter. Bob graduated from high school in Sherman Oaks, California and was recognized with a special certificate for achievement in Art.

Bob served in the United States Army, initially at Fort Ord and then was stationed in Hawai'i, which he loved. He trained in the Combat Engineer specialty and received an honorable discharge.

After his Army stint he attended community college in LA, continued with art, and also performed in dramatic productions including Death of a Salesman. Bob worked at a variety of professions including cook and bartender and sign-maker. But his longest lasting endeavors were in producing art and working as a house painter/handyman with a noted eye for detail and quality. His art included paintings, sculpture, and then a long period of time doing mostly collage. His art was exhibited at both group and solo shows in a variety of venues in Los Angeles, Laguna Beach, Dallas, San Francisco (more than a half-dozen shows), Oakland, Alameda, and Folsom, California. Several of the later shows included other members of a local artistic gathering and idea sharing group known as the Book Club at Van Kleef's.

Bob was divorced twice with no children. He had a real love of animals and often provided pet care services for friends. Bob had a knack for finding good people to be his friends. He will be missed by his support network notably including Norman R. who got him onto Social Security, close friend Peggy D. who played cribbage and generally cheered him up, apartment manager Adrienne "Andy" D. who mother henned him and fixed the phone and cable, and Paul T. who handled the VA, benefits, shopping trips, and medical issues. Bob's health slowly declined and he was cared for by staff at Fruitvale Healthcare Center and Summit Medical in Oakland, and passed in June at age 86. His remains will be interred at the Central Coast Veterans Cemetery in Seaside, California. In lieu of flowers please consider donating to your local Senior Meals on Wheels program.