Robert Lars Kvam
July 31, 2023
It is with heavy heart that we announce the passing of our beloved husband and father, Robert Lars Kvam, on Monday, July 31, 2023. Bob was a native Nevadan, born in Reno, and lived his entire life in Carson City. At age 3, he moved to Carson with his parents and siblings, residing in a little house that stood on the grounds where the Legislature stands today.
As a young boy, Bob bought his first off-road motorcycle and travelled the early motocross circuit with his fellow riding buddies. Always moving in one form or another, the outdoors spoke to him. He enjoyed aided rock-climbing, hiking, and backpacking and was even a ski instructor with the fledgling Carson Comets Ski Program at Sky Tavern. It was there that he met his future wife, unbeknownst to him at the time. She remembers him as her “handsome, long haired ski instructor” when she was 13. It wasn’t until 6 years later that they met again and never parted since. Bob and Jean would have celebrated 43 years of marriage this month.
As an adult, dirt bike riding was Bob’s primary recreation. For 25 years, he traversed the Baja Peninsula with his pack of dirt bike friends, which became his favorite place to ride, relax, and enjoy good food with his friends, and sons, over cervezas. He was a good rider, fast—yet safe—and always with a grin.
In 1975, Robert graduated from the University of Nevada, Reno with a degree in Geological Engineering and retired 6 years ago, after working 33 years for the Nevada Department of Transportation as a Project Manager. He always put the quality of his work product as his top priority. Bob and his wife, Jean, enjoyed a retired life of many adventures… and had many more planned. They purchased a small RV, and had many excursions in it together, stopping at their favorite wineries to stock up as they set out enjoying many evenings under the pines, next to cactus fields, or oceanside, listening to the waves as they watched the sunset in each other’s company with a glass of wine and plate of cheese.
When home, they gardened together, creating a veritable Eden in their backyard, where they entertained friends and family and delighted in the peace and tranquility of the trees, plants, flowers, vegetables, and herbs, as did their furry and winged neighborhood friends of the earth and sky. It was these simple things that helped them to appreciate how fortunate they were in both life and love.
Robert was an honest and decent man who loved deeply, always demonstrating his affection in both word and deed.
He is preceded in death by his youngest son, Eric, and survived by his son, Jay, and his wife, Jean.
Words do not suffice to express just how much this man meant to us nor how much he will be missed.
There will be a Celebration of Life for Bob on August 26th. Please reach out to the family if you are interested in joining. If you feel a desire to contribute something, we will ask that you donate to the Tahoe Rim Trail.
And, finally, Bob would encourage you all to please always wear your seatbelts.