Robert Alkire Obituary

Obituary for Robert Lawrence Alkire?1968 - 2023

Robert Lawrence Alkire was born on August 15, 1968, and passed away on November 18, 2023, at the age of 55, from Muscular Dystrophy.

He was born Michael Edwin Connelly, in Belleville, Illinois, and then was adopted at the age of 19 months by Margaret and James Alkire from Centralia, Illinois where he lived with older brother Andy and sister Betsy. In 1970 they moved to Pleasant Hill, California, where Bob grew up. He attended Strandwood Elementary School, Valley View Junior High, and College Park High School.

He was an active boy scout and loved to hike and camp. He was a member of several baseball teams and the swimming team. In High School he ran cross country for three years. He was an active member of St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church where he was in FOC and sang in the choir.

Bob loved to play the trumpet. He joined the Concord Blue Devils and traveled with them, competing in many parts of the country.

Bob worked many jobs, mainly in the fast-food industry in such businesses as Subway, McDonalds, and Burger King.

In 1998 he moved to Tucson, Arizona, and in 2002 moved into his condominium where he lived the rest of his life. But every Christmas he came back to Pleasant Hill to see the family and friends and help with the Christmas party.

He liked to travel and went on family vacations several times to the Chautauqua Institution in Chautauqua, New York. He took an Alaskan cruise and drove several times across the country.

At age 40 he was diagnosed with Muscular Dystrophy which totally changed his life. He became more and more limited and reclusive but continued to visit with his friends and family.

His dad, Jim, passed away in 2021. Bob is survived by his brother Andy, sister-in-law Jacqueline, and their children: Alec, Ryan, Sean, Megan and Olivia. He is survived by his sister, Betsy Chabin, her husband John Chabin, and their children: James, Sarah, and Nathan.

A family farewell will take place at a later date.