Robert Laurance McCartney
January 26, 1963 ~ September 11, 2025
Born in:
Portola Valley, Ca
Resided in:
Castro Valley, Ca
We are deeply saddened to announce the passing of Robert (Bob) Laurance McCartney. Gone too soon at the age of 62, his kindness, laughter, and presence will be forever remembered and profoundly missed by all who knew him.
Bob was a devoted husband, father, brother, uncle, cousin, and friend. He grew up in Portola Valley, California, where he met and later married his high school sweetheart, Karen, who remained the love of his life. For 45 years, their life together was one of unwavering love, shared laughter, and countless adventures. Nothing brought Bob greater joy than being a proud and loving father to his two children, Kelsey and Bobby – his greatest accomplishments. He cherished every moment spent with them, always supporting and encouraging their dreams. He was filled with pride at Kelsey’s recent achievement of becoming a Certified Civil Engineer and was happy about Bobby’s budding interest in finance. But more than anything, it was the time they shared that meant the most to him – whether it was peaceful fishing trips or the laughter-filled moments towing them behind the family boat. Bob also had a special bond with Nick Morelli, Kelsey’s fiancé, and was genuinely excited to welcome him into the family.
Bob’s kindness and loyalty extended deeply to his family. He held a special place in the hearts of his sister Nancy Dindzans and her husband Andris, as well as their children, Maija and Rian, who will always remember his warmth, humor, and generous spirit. To his niece and nephew, Lauren and Jack Chamberlain, Bob was more than a supportive uncle—he was a steady and caring presence, the one behind every ski trip, boating adventure, and campout. With his love for the outdoors, he brought family and friends together and created lifelong memories at special places like Sea Ranch and Lake Wildwood.
A devoted and heartfelt friend, Bob made countless fishing and abalone diving trips with his lifelong buddies—adventures that were as much about camaraderie as they were about the catch.
Creating a home was one of Bob’s greatest joys. He and Karen took pride in shaping their land into a place that reflected their spirit—thoughtful, hardworking, and full of love. Bob hand-carved a 1.5 mile trail up to the top of the hill and transformed their 50-acre property into a haven for family and friends. One of the most meaningful rituals he and Karen shared was their evening walk to the top of the trail—a quiet, treasured moment they enjoyed together, surrounded by the beauty they built.
In 1994, Bob co-founded Cal Industrial Sales with his partner and friend, Ed Molina. Upon Ed’s retirement in 2006, another longtime friend and colleague, Dave Richardson became Bob’s new partner and Cal Industrial continued to evolve into the successful business it is today. Through decades of dedication, he worked tirelessly and built lasting relationships, earning the respect of business associates, competitors, and friends alike.  Bob retired earlier this year, ready to embrace a new chapter of life. Most recently he and Karen took great joy in traveling with their Airstream exploring parks, visiting friends, and savoring every moment of his well-earned retirement.
Bob will be remembered for his warmth, generosity, and genuine kindness. His life was one of hard work, simple joys, and, above all, deep love for his family and friends. Though his time here was far too short, his impact will remain everlasting. His passing leaves a huge void in the hearts of his loved ones and all whose lives he touched.
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I still remember when he hired me. A lot of people around him were surprised—even shocked—that he chose me for that role. On paper, I probably didn’t look like the obvious choice. But Bob never hired people based only on paper. He looked at heart, at potential, at the person behind the résumé. He saw something in me that I didn’t yet see in myself, and he was willing to stand by that choice even when others questioned it.
That one decision changed everything for me. Bob didn’t just give me a job—he gave me courage. In his office, in his company, I was allowed to show up as who I really was. No masks, no pretending, no shrinking myself to fit into someone else’s idea of “professional.” He created a space where I felt safe to grow, to make mistakes, to learn, and to become a better version of myself. He believed in me so consistently that, over time, I started to believe in myself too.
What made Bob special wasn’t just his leadership or his intelligence, though he had both. It was his heart. He treated people with respect no matter where they came from or what their story was. He listened. He encouraged. He challenged you when you were selling yourself short. He gave opportunities to people others might overlook. And he did it quietly—not for praise or recognition, but because it was simply the kind of man he was.
Losing Bob is painful, because men like him don’t come around often. But his impact doesn’t end here. It lives on in the people he chose to believe in, the careers he helped launch, the confidence he helped build, and the kindness he showed every day. I am who I am today, in large part, because Bob took a chance on me and never made me feel less than.
Thank you, Bob, for seeing me when others did not. Thank you for opening a door that changed my life, for giving me the courage to be myself without judgment, and for showing me what true leadership and humanity look like. Your legacy lives on in me and in everyone whose life you touched. You will be deeply missed, but never forgotten.