Robert "Bob" Harvey Coronado

Robert Harvey Coronado passed away on September 29th after a short illness. He was born on May 22, 1936 in Vallejo, California to John J. “Doc” Coronado and Dolores Coronado. Bob loved growing up in Vallejo with his brothers Gary and Ralph, and surrounded by many aunts, uncles and cousins. He attended Lincoln Elementary, Franklin Junior High, and was Class of 1955 at Vallejo High School. Bob was an exceptional athlete and grew up competing with and against some of the greatest athletes Vallejo has ever produced. He began his athletic career in the Peanut League, playing in the first game at Wilson Park. As a kid he loved to run and competed in many City sponsored races. With the help of his dad he entered and won the Times Herald Soap Box Derby in 1948. While at Vallejo High School, Bob excelled at football, basketball, baseball and track. He was a running back on the 9-0 football team which won the High School National Championship. He was all-league in basketball, held the Vallejo High School record in the 440 yard dash for many years and in baseball he had a 10-0 record including back to back no-hitters as a senior, winning league MVP. Following high school, Bob received many college scholarship offers for football, baseball and track. He also received several contract offers by MLB teams. He chose to attend the College of the Pacific where he played football and baseball. In 1959, Bob was drafted by the Chicago Bears and as one of the fastest backs on the West Coast, was named to the College All Star team which played the Johnny Unitas led NFL Champion Baltimore Colts. As a result of his pass receptions and a fumble recovery, he was considered to be one of the MVP’s of the game. After making the team, Chicago Bears’ George Halas was expecting to take advantage of Bob’s speed and hands, however, Bob was drafted again, this time by Uncle Sam. Bob was stationed for two years at Fort Bliss in El Paso Texas. It was there that Bob met his love, Margaret Munoz. Following his service, having not played football in two years, Bob headed back to Chicago prior to the 1961 season. Having lost 10lbs and fearing he might be cut, he stopped along the way to buy two 5lb fishing weights which he put in his pockets while weighing in. Bob made the team, however, before Marge could join him in Chicago, he was traded to the Pittsburgh Steelers. In Pittsburgh, Bob excelled in the preseason and not only made the team, was named to the starting lineup against the Dallas Cowboys. Fate struck again, and he broke his ankle in the final practice before the first regular season game, putting the season on hold. On a happier note, Bob and Marge were married by Father John Chao on November 26, 1959. Bob healed, finished the season, and he and Marge returned to Vallejo. The following season, he was contacted by his old Pacific teammate, Tom Flores, who was quarterback of the Oakland Raiders. Flores asked him to come play in Oakland. He got Bob a tryout and he was offered a contract, but he declined. He was ready to move on. Marge and Bob welcomed daughter, Yvette, in 1963, and son, Mark, in 1968. They raised their family in Vallejo. He worked for San Francisco French Bread Company for 30 years. He was a member of Saint Basil’s Parish for many years before moving over to St. Dominic’s Parish in Benicia. Bob and Marge enjoyed their life together, raising their family, socializing with friends and traveling. In retirement, Bob took up golf, traveled to Europe and throughout the U.S ., but found his true joy in watching his grandchildren play sports, Arman in high school football and baseball and Yasmine in college gymnastics. In his later years he took pleasure meeting with old friends, walks in Benicia and Mare Island, relaxing at his favorite spot at Bodega Bay and Friday family dinners. Bob Coronado was a man of faith, loved his family and his country. He was generous, good humored and had a positive outlook on life. Although he was an accomplished athlete and played with, against and crossed paths with a who’s who of the sports stars of his era, you’d never know it by talking to him. He was a kind, humble man who showed more interest in whomever he was talking to then talking about himself. Bob is survived by his daughter Yvette Coronado-Dacey (Matt), his son, Mark, grandchildren, Arman Yektaparast and Yasmine Yektaparast and brothers, Ralph (Brenda) Coronado and Gary (Vi) Coronado. Graveside services with military honors will be held 11:30 AM on Wednesday, November 1 at Sacramento Valley National cemetery, Dixon, CA.

Robert "Bob" Harvey Coronado

May 22, 1936 - September 29, 2023