Robert Paul Rifkin
Bob passed on November 22, at Serenity House in Santa Barbara, after bravely fighting renal cell carcinoma for 20 months. Before his passing, he was surrounded with love from his many friends and family.
Known as Rif or Robbie to his wife Marlene of 56 years, Bob to his many friends and colleagues, Papa Bear to his family, and Zadie to his beloved grandchildren, Bob led an active and adventurous life.
Born 1946 in Brooklyn, NY, to Maurice and Lucille Rifkin, he graduated from Brooklyn College in 1967 and enlisted in the Air Force. In the summer of 1966, Bob met his future wife Marlene on a plane to Europe and fell in love. They dated for a year and were married in November of 1967. After completing pilot school in Texas, Bob flew C-141 and C-130 cargo planes in the Vietnam War while stationed in Taiwan, North Carolina, and Sacramento. In late 1972, he left the Air Force and obtained his California real estate license in 1973.
In 1976, the Rifkins moved from Sacramento to Santa Barbara so that Marlene could attend graduate school at UCSB. They both fell in love with Santa Barbara, and decided to make this their permanent home while managing to live in 13 different houses over their years here.
For the next four decades, until his retirement in 2016, Bob worked as a real estate agent and mortgage broker. He was an avid golfer, walker, lawn bowler, and poker player. He made good friends in all his activities. He and Marlene loved to travel, especially to Hawaii, England and Israel. In all, he traveled to 40 countries, and made sure to always bring back a souvenir t-shirt.
Bob and Marlene were founding members of Mesa Shul, remaining core participants through many changes of name, location, and membership.
Bob is survived by his wife Marlene, brother Stanley ( wife Susan), children Rif (partner Anna Engle), Sam (wife Ashley), Rachel (partner Dave Mattern), grandchildren Brooklyn & Quinn, and grandcats Chase & Willow. His enduring optimism and mischievous twinkle remain a source of comfort to his loved ones. May his memory be a blessing to all who knew him.