Robert Francis Carmesin
April 13, 1947 – May 16, 2022

Robert Francis Carmesin, AKA Carm/Buddy went to be with the Lord on May 16, 2022 at 8:30 a.m. He fought a valiant battle against Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), commonly known as Lou Gehrig’s, a progressive neuromuscular disease. He passed away peacefully in his sleep at home in Mckinleyville, and gave love to each and every person as he said farewell in the weeks prior.

He was born April 13, 1947, in Los Angeles, and moved with his parents to McKinleyville in 1952 where he began life as the son of a chicken rancher. He deeply loved his Mom, Dad and family and helped to build their ranch known as the “Carmesin Compound.” He was preceded in death by his parents John and Lois Carmesin, his first wife Christine Grace-Carmesin, second wife Catherine Blake-Carmesin.

He was the beloved husband of Jacqueline Hostler-Carmesin, loving father of Damian Carmesin (Kristie Burns), and Tina King (Terry). He was step-father of Richard England Sr. (Jennifer), Christina Nelson (Chris), Michael Hostler (Sarah Burns), Heather Hostler, Don Hostler (Mark Alsbury), and Robin Hostler. He was Grandpa to Derek Carmesin (son Landon), Ayashie Carmesin, Kaleb Carmesin, Melanie Carmesin, Taylor-Jay King (Rikki), Tanner King (Taylor Van Antwerp), Madyson Nelson, Richard England Jr., Jessalyn England, Hilton Hostler III (Heather), Kameiko Hostler, Kamaria Charlo, Aneekah Hostler, John Silver Hostler, Coco Hostler, Michael Hostler, Jr.

He was an amazing brother to Rita McAtee (Dale), John Carmesin (Vickie), and uncle to Jamie Dobrec (Mike), Annie Meagher (James), Travis Carmesin (Danielle), Heidi Olson (Pete), and brother-in-law to Bob Martensen, sister-in-law, Sherrie England (Bob), Debbie McBride (Curt). Great uncle to Branson Dobrec, Daytona Dobrec, Riley Meagher, Clint Meagher, Cole Carmesin, Carlee Carmesin and Josie Olson.

He made a life time of memories with best friends Stevie Jones, Ron Martin, Teddy and Jack Biondini, Stevie Noble, Garth and Linda Sundberg, Gary “Pepe” Johnson, Keith and Erica Ervin, and Erick Ammon. He was loved greatly by the Hoopa family Grandma Mush, Auntie Dick, Auntie Doolie, Uncle Loggie and so many others.

Robert attended McKinleyville High School and was part of the first four-year graduating class of 1965. He was inducted into the McKinleyville High School Hall of Fame in 2011. He earned six varsity letters – three each in football and track – set an H-DN football record in 1963 with 43 pass receptions, and was the H-DN pole vault champion in 1965.

He attended Humboldt State University and worked as a butcher at E & O Meat Market, moving on to Miller Farms Nursery around 1968 for many years. He later went to Prudhoe Bay, Alaska to work on the Cat Trains, across frozen tundra’s and snow fields. They made living quarters to live in while working on the oil fields. He saved lives numerous times in these treacherous conditions and his friends look forward to sharing these stories at his Celebration of Life.

He became an Operating Engineer and worked at Redwood Empire Aggregates in Arcata beginning in 1978 and retiring in 2009 and had been a foreman for most of those years. He told stories of every highway and road he had paved in three counties and would tell us, “I paved that road!” He was a fisherman extraordinaire and was known for the best smoked salmon and albacore tuna that he generously gave to family and friends. He packed into the Trinity Alps with the Martensens, Kings and Ammons for decades of hunting and wonderful memories. His best times were hunting, fishing and enjoying the outdoors. He certainly never let anyone out fish him!

He was a member of the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Marine Posse from 1970-1980. In 1971, he was one of the dive team that searched for the DC-3 airplane that plunged into the ocean at Shelter Cove, recovering numerous bodies. He also did several searches with the HCSO in the Trinity River. One of his favorite hobbies was diving for abalone and bringing home trophy shells.

He was a contractor who could build anything he attempted, helping his family and friends without hesitation. He built an amazing cabin on the Klamath River that will be forever cherished by his loved ones. He meticulously cared for the land he had bought from his dear friend, Bunny Vanpelt. He had a great respect for the land and Native American people, learning a lot of from the elders he was honored to know.

He married his wife Jacque Carmesin on Dec. 12, 2012 at the Bayside Country Club and they had a fairy tale romance for almost ten years, hunting and fishing, playing at Trinity Lake and loving all of their families. Most of all Robert Carmesin was a wonderful, kind person who touched everyone that knew him. He was a gentle soul and the most loving human being that we have ever met. He was an incredibly loving husband, father, brother, uncle, friend, grandpa, and his beautiful spirit will live on forever!! We miss him terribly already but take his wisdom and laughter with us until we see him in heaven some day.

Please join us in celebrating his life on Tuesday, May 24, 2022, 1:30 p.m. at Azalea Hall in McKinleyville.

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