Robert B. Gordon of Oakland, California, a Massachusetts native who founded IBC Pacific Inc., an international shipping company, died on April 21 in Oakland.

For years Bob served a variety of clients in Latin America, as well as around the Pacific Rim and Asia. He had lived in the Bay Area for more than four decades.

Bob was born in Chelsea, Massachusetts, on November 21, 1946, and spent his childhood in Melrose. His parents were Ernest and Esther (Clarke) Gordon. He graduated from Melrose High School in 1964, and enlisted immediately in the U.S. Navy aboard the aircraft carrier USS Coral Sea (CVA-43).

In the early 1970s he moved to San Francisco and founded IBC Pacific.

Because Bob loved to travel, he once purchased an agency. He then encouraged his sister Ann and spouse Elliott Carlson to plan trips to Australia and Russia (then the Soviet Union). They spent several weeks in these locations and consider these adventures high points in their life.

An enthusiastic ham radio operator since childhood, Bob worked part time at a ham radio store after retirement. A lifelong animal lover, Bob was often seen at the Alameda dog park with his dog Pico. In recent times he cherished time with his beloved granddaughter, Naomi, accompanying her to children's programs throughout Oakland.

Bob will be remembered by those closest to him for his sense of humor and being lighthearted, his love of travel, and his love for his children and granddaughter.

Bob's immediate survivors include his three children: Katherine Gordon, her spouse, Gregory deBeer, and their daughter, Naomi, of Oakland; Julia Gordon, also of Oakland; and Arly Gordon of Portland, ME; and his sister and brother-in-law, Ann and Elliott Carlson, of Marblehead, MA. He was the former spouse of Flora Gordon of San Carlos, CA.

Memorial observances were held in Oakland, CA on May 28. The Murphy Funeral Home is in charge of memorial observances in Marblehead, which will take place on, Saturday, July 30th at 11am at the Waterside Cemetery.