01/09/2023
The reason I created this page, my father in law passed away.
Bobby Gene Stone passed away on January 1, 2023 at home with his wife Melody Fountain. He was 82 years old. Bob was diagnosed with Stomach Cancer in October and started Chemo Therapy in November. At the end of November Bob had a stroke and ended up in the hospital. On December 19, Bob came home. He was visited and called by many friends and family. He enjoyed each one.
Bob graduated from High School in June 1959. He began his Los Padres National Forest Service career in August 1959, as a firefighter with his wife Lorna and one year old son Robert. In 1963 Bob was the Figueroa Fire Prevention Technician and son Larry was adopted as an infant. In 1966 Bob and family moved to Wheeler Gorge Fire Station on the Ojai District as Captain of the Engine.
In 1968 Bob moved to the San Luis District as Assistant Fire Control Officer and built a house in Santa Margarita. In March 1971, Bob’s wife Lorna passed away from diabetes. When the the San Luis and Santa Maria Districts consolidated in 1973, Bob was North Zone Assistant Fire Management Officer on the new Santa Lucia District. In 1979 Bob became the Assistant Recreation Officer and specialized in Wilderness and Trails. Bob loved the mixture of fire management, the wilderness and stock program, and managing trails.
In 1989 Bob and Melody Fountain met as coworkers on the Santa Lucia District and became instant soulmates. While managing the Los Padres National Forest they worked on many projects together and made wonderful pack trips into the backcountry on horseback. At this time Bob was very active with Backcountry Horsemen. In 1999 Bob retired from the Forest Service, but continued to hunt his foxhounds and monitor the wild horses on the Forest. Melody and Bob married in June 2000 and lived at Bob’s property in Santa Margarita with horses, mules, dogs and chickens. Bob enjoyed hunting his hounds and riding horses and mules his entire life. He was everything you want a Forest Ranger to be: Smart, Brave and Strong. Bob had many friends and will be missed.
A celebration of life will be planned for the Spring or Summer. In lieu of flowers or gifts please consider making a contribution to a fund set up for horses with Backcountry Horsemen, Los Padres Unit. Make checks out to BCHC and send to BCHC 7395 El Camino Real #472 Atascadero, CA 93422. This fund is intended to help maintain the water and provide salt or other needs for the wild horses and/or provide support to horses affected by wild fires. Be sure to indicate the check is for the Horse Fund.
Melody can be contacted at one of the following: PO Box 261 Santa Margarita, CA 93453, [email protected]
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