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Robert Edward Talbot

A father, a scholar, a performer, a coach and most notably a beloved husband was lost June 17 with the passing of Robert “Bob” Edward Talbot, 81, of Mill Valley, California.
Bob is survived by his wife Ramona Burich, brother William Silver, daughter Ashley Dean, son-in-law
Patrick Dean, sons David Blum, Lorenzo Henderson and Max Rosen; 3 grandchildren: Jack Blum, Jordyn Dean, Logan Dean; nephew Brett Silver, sister and brother-in-law Georgia and Larry Thacker, and his adorable grand-dog George.
Born and raised in Sunnyside Queens, New York, Talbot spent his childhood playing in the city streets after school and spent his summers at Sand Lake with his parents and brother. As he grew, he excelled at academics and athletics. He attended Stuyvesant High School in New York City where he achieved varsity athletic status in baseball, swimming and football earning All City Athletic Achievement as the quarterback.
Robert’s academic achievements led him to a Regents Scholarship at Columbia University in New York, where he also played football, later earning an academic scholarship to Columbia School of Law.
This man of many talents did not stop there. His love of theatre and dancing led him to summer jobs at resorts in the Catskills where he performed dance numbers at night and gave dance lessons during the day. It was during these times that Bob forged a life-long friendship with his mentor Michael Terrace who was an inspiration for the movie Dirty Dancing.
Conflicted by a love of law and teaching, Robert’s passions led him to his 50-year career as a Law Professor at the University of San Francisco where he was awarded the Sarlo Prize in 2018 and appointed as Barnett Chair. Talbot continued to serve as Professor Emeritus until his passing.
As an educator, Robert believed in hands-on learning for law students, which lead to the formation of many community relationships where his students could get practical legal experience supporting agencies such as the San Francisco Public Defenders Office and mediations throughout Marin County. Additionally, his belief in practical relationships extended into volunteerism having served from 1970 to 2022 on the Advisory Board of Global Garden Projects Inc., Summer of Love International and Hope and Beyond.
Throughout Roberts Law School career, he never lost his love for performance. He participated in community theatre and starred in shows such as Annie, 42nd Street, Sound of Music, Show Boat, My Fair Lady, Most Happy Fella, and the Fantasticks, in which he played the lead at USF and Ghirardelli Square Theatre. For Bob, the realms of theatre and law were not far apart. They were both acts of communication with audiences, which is why he worked with director Arther Meyer to form the free City Students Introduction to Theatre.
Despite his busy career, Robert always made time to share his passions with his family. He played, practiced and coached his children in sports and theatre. As a coach, he helped his daughter’s 5th grade basketball team achieve a championship season. And as an actor, he directed his son, David, in Guys and Dolls.
Robert Talbot was a brilliant, creative, talented, loyal and bigger-than-life character who captured everyone’s hearts. He will be sorely missed by his family and friends.
Robert passed away from complications from Parkinson’s Disease, Multiple Systems Atrophy. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to Robert Talbot Scholarship at USF School of Law or MSA Coalition.