June 15, 1924 - Sept 2, 1996.

Robert S. Vestal, Salinas resident Robert S. Vestal of Salinas died Monday at his home following a four-month illness. He was 72.

Mr. Vestal was a native of Hastings, Neb., and lived in Salinas for 37 years. He was a real estate broker, owned Browns Department Store in Salinas with his father for 15 years and served in the U.S. Navy in the South Pacific during World War II as executive officer of his ship.

He was president of the California Rodeo Association from 1983-85 and collected Western art and paraphernalia everything from guns to belt buckles to hats. He worked at a rodeo in Sheridan, Wyo. as a boy and spent part of his childhood helping on his parent’s ranch and running the family department store.

Mr. Vestal was a member of Sheridan Masonic Lodge No. 8 in Sheridan, Wyo., and Sheridan Scottish Rite Bodies and Kalif Shrine Temple.

He graduated from Sheridan High School in 1941, attended New Mexico Military School in Roswell, N.M., and graduated from the Naval Reserve Midshipman’s School at Cornell University in Ithaca, N.Y., as an ensign in 1944.

He is survived by his wife, Duretta O. Vestal of Salinas; his daughters, Barbara Martin of Salinas. Mary Marmas of Mesa, Ariz. Laurie Bullard of San Diego and Kris Davis of Sacramento; his sisters, June Campbell-Plumlee of Carmel Valley. Joann Lyon of Purcellville, Va., and Nancy Thompson of Oroville; six grandchildren; a great-grandson and numerous nieces and nephews.

At Mr. Vestal's request, no funeral services are planned. Cremation will be at the Garden of Memories cemetery.

Memorials may be made to the California Rodeo Multi-Use Facility, P.O. Box 1648. Salinas CA 93902 or Hospice of the Central Coast, 100 Barnet Segal Lane, Monterey 93940.

Arrangements are under the direction of Struve and Laporte Funeral Chapel.

The Californian - Sept. 3, 1996