The Loma Prietan
October 2000
A Tribute to our Friend, Robert Kreutzmann
Robert (Bob) A. Kreutzmann died Tuesday August 15, 2000 after a lengthy fight with Alzheimer’s disease. Bob was 74, and a long time member of the Sierra Club and the Loma Prieta Chapter. He headed the Day Hikers’ Group for many years.
His friends mostly remember him for his gentle, unassuming manner, his personal magnetism and charisma. He was always the focal point within the group, possessed with natural leadership characteristics and able to coax full potentials from others. Bob had a perfect sense of direction, even in the fog. Bob was physically tall, and demonstrated long deliberate strides; followers had to take two steps to his one. A great listener, he was the perfect trail companion.
When leading hikes he was always very considerate of others. He adjusted hikes for the enjoyment of all, the fast and the slow. When others led the hike he would cheerfully take up rear guard to assure safe passage for all. He had a great sense for timing breaks at strategic overlooks; he never lost sight or appreciation of his great love of the outdoors and especially the Bay Area.
On the lighter side, he was a frugal back packer, of the tube tent, lean-to, and short handled toothbrush category. Bob would often greet early morning wake up calls in a somewhat soaked sleeping bag. His large frame could not necessarily be readily accommodated. He could cook a whole meal in his Sierra Cup.
It was under Bob’s leadership that the annual tradition of a Christmas Hike began sometime in the late 1970’s. Rain or shine, in early December, Mount Tamalpais and the Marin Headlands have seen a large group of Sierra Club Hikers descending the Dipsea Trail towards the beach. During that first hike, which began in the rain, Bob’s rucksack contained an unusual bulky object, the identity of which he would not reveal. When a very soggy group arrived at Stinson Beach for lunch, the sun broke through. And to the applause of his admiring fans, Bob revealed his secret cargo. It was a small plastic Christmas tree with appropriate trimmings, which he lovingly propped near a small table, also carried in the rucksack. From many packs came suitable refreshments and sweetmeats to be consumed.
Another Christmas Hike is remembered by some of us as the coldest day of our lives, when huddled in the Marin Headlands’ concrete pillboxes, Bob provided hot chocolate and grog next to the same portable tree. We have ample reason to fondly remember Bob during treks to the Marin Headlands.
According to Bob, he joined Day Hikers to lose weight (circa 1976). He can be credited for identifying and recruiting the nucleus of leaders for the Day Hikers (until circa 1989). He trained them by setting an example and serving as a role model. He also established an inventory of perfect hikes still followed to this date. The Day Hikers’ first thirty miles hike was Bob’s Birthday Hike, from Rodeo Beach to Olema, starting another tradition-- hiking from dawn to dusk (and beyond.) During his tenure there was no shortage of individuals willing to lead hikes.
He exhibited admirable stamina; he was famed for climbing just one more hill prior to the hike finale, much to the consternation to some of us who followed. He led many memorable backpack trips with his friends to the Sierra Nevada. During these he often demonstrated his physical courage and self-confidence while minimizing risk to others.
With Bob, each hike he led was a joy, a challenge to complete. Hikes were selected to promote an appreciation for our environment. He walked miles out of his way to avoid the habitat of an endangered blue butterfly.
Diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease forced his early retirement. He was greatly missed by friends and fellow hikers during the last decade.
A strong supporter of environmental issues and Sierra Club objectives, Bob Kreutzmann can also be remembered by his continuous and industrious pursuit of preserving and expanding our trails for present and future generations of hikers.