Obit -- Robert Leif Jensen

Bob Jensen, an incredible and loving husband, father, brother, and friend to all, passed away Saturday morning, Jan. 15, 2011, following a motorcycle accident in San Diego. He was on his way to a downtown breakfast meeting with the San Diego Antique Motorcycle Club.

He was born May 14, 1931, on Staten Island.

Jensen and his wife, Fran, previously owned Viking Construction Inc. for 30 years, as well as the Viking Motel and Plaza on Grand Island. Jensen was a member of the Buffalo Launch Club (even naming his speedboat "Viking") and a member of the Grand Island Rotary Club (personally exchanging Rotarian Flags in several foreign countries). He was a director of the Grand Island Chamber of Commerce and president of the Buffalo Home Improvement Council.

Jensen and his wife were world-travelers, visiting 38 countries spanning four continents. They enjoyed a very active lifestyle. Highlights included snorkeling the Great Barrier Reef in Australia, climbing Macchu Picchu in Peru, visiting the Great Wall of China, and skiing the Austrian Alps. Among his proudest excursions was climbing the Harbour Bridge in Sydney, Australia.

Jensen was an avid snow skier and motorcyclist, frequently riding his 1939 Harley (with sidecar) or his 2001 Harley. He was thrilled to have ridden in the famous Glendale "Love Ride" with Jay Leno, Peter Fonda, and Ann Margaret, helping to raise money for charity. He was also a member of the Jensen Car Club of San Diego; his pride and joy was a 1974 Jensen Mark IV convertible.

Jensen accumulated an extensive collection of Viking warrior figurines and ships, reflecting his proud Scandinavian heritage and his previous membership in the Staten Island Sons of Norway. He was also a passionate football fan and a voracious reader.

In 1999 Jensen and his wife moved to San Diego, where he subsequently joined Action Window and Door Company and became its most successful sales consultant. A consummate sales professional, he was closing sales up until the day before he passed! Living life to the fullest, Jensen had returned from snow skiing just three days before his death, never one to pass up an opportunity to "hit the slopes." His family is comforted to know that his final week included his passions for skiing, working out at the gym, driving his convertible, and riding his Harley.

Just as Sinatra's song goes, Bob Jensen, the epitome of a true gentleman, certainly "did it his way!"

Bob is survived by his beloved wife of 52 years, Fran, a Realtor with Keller-Williams Realty North County; by his daughters, Cindy Jensen (INC Research), and Karen Lindstrom (Callaway Winery), both of San Diego. Bob is also survived by his sisters, Dorothy Myhre-Donahue of Staten Island, and Mary Jane Muller of Orlando, Fla. Predeceasing Bob was his sister, Peggy Jensen, of Albuquerque, N.M., and his parents Dr. and Mrs. Leif Jensen, former chief of surgery at Staten Island Hospital. Bob graduated from Duke University, where he played on its football team.

Always a kind and generous man, Jensen was an organ donor. He will be cremated.  A memorial service will be held on Saturday, Jan. 29, at 11 a.m. at Faith Lutheran Church, 700 E. Bobier Drive, Vista, Calif. A reception lunch in celebration of his life will follow.

In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that any donations be made to: Scripps Center For Integrative Medicine, c/o Dr. Mimi Guarneri, 10820 N. Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, CA 92037.

A living memorial website has been established by the family to celebrate the life of Bob Jensen. Visit: www.forevermissed.com/bobjensen/#about.