‘Gandalf’ Has Gone: Bob McKee Has Passed

Bob McKee

Bob McKee
Born: January 15, 1929
Died: January 21, 2022

Bob McKee has passed. For those of us in Southern Humboldt, it is as if a library burned or a giant tree uprooted. The landscape of our lives has changed a bit.

Gary Graham Hughes, the former executive director of the Environmental Protection Information Center, told the North Coast Journal, “In many ways, Bob McKee was seen as the Gandalf of the back-to-the-land movement, in terms of people getting a piece of land.”

McKee provided the property and the easy terms that launched hundreds of small farms in the rural hills of Southern Humboldt, in the process providing young folks fleeing the cities during the Back-to-the-Land movement a chance to purchase a piece of paradise. His daughter, Sita Formosa, reminisced for us that sometimes people would knock on her folks’ door and McKee would end up selling a piece for as little as no money down and $30 per month.

Along with his wife Valerie and their six children, he welcomed the newcomers with warmth and hospitality.

In addition, McKee’s creative mind launched his own businesses including Whitethorn Construction which has become the hub of the remote community. His descendants are woven into the fabric of the greater Humboldt area. Many in their own right shaping and moving the path of the people who live here.

Late last night, McKee took his last breath. Formosa told us that he had chosen to get surgery in San Francisco, had seemingly triumphed and was doing well when he suffered heart failure about 11:30 p.m.

Thanking everyone for their “outpouring of love and support,” Formosa said, “We feel held and comforted by the community…We really appreciate how well-loved he was by people who felt like he changed the trajectory of their lives.” She asked that the family be given some privacy now in their grief.

To get a sense of the legend that was Bob McKee, listen to KMUD’s Lauren Schmitt’s three part series.

Part 1:
Listen to HUMBOLDT HISTORY: Bob Mckee Pt.1 by KMUD News on #SoundCloud

Part 2 :

Listen to HUMBOLDT HISTORY: Bob McKee Pt.2 by KMUD News on #SoundCloud

Part 3:
Listen to HUMBOLDT HISTORY: Bob McKee Pt.3 by KMUD News on #SoundCloud
NOTE: Please note. In an earlier version, we failed to note that Gary Hughes is the former executive director of EPIC. We apologize for our error.
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Trashman
Guest
Trashman
2 years ago

Devastated the hunt ranch and the hog from. Not much left to subdivide. Plenty of stuff for sale though. He was a man of the times. RIP.

Lily Aquarian
Guest
Lily Aquarian
2 years ago

So much love to the wonderful, vast McKee family. We loved your father so much! Lily and Stan and kids

Knowledge
Guest
Knowledge
2 years ago

The man treasured those dang safari cars. Mad hatter will be missed.

Consultant
Guest
Consultant
2 years ago

Legend. RIP

giovanna scruby
Guest
giovanna scruby
2 years ago

We were one of the people Bob Mc helped. He sold us part of his property by the Mattole river with no money down and $30 a month. He let us use his spring water while we were building. So thankful for his generosity

Scan.jpeg
So Hum
Member
So Hum
2 years ago

Blessings on your journey

Katie McM
Guest
Katie McM
2 years ago

My heartfelt sorrow for all the family . A rare man able to stay current and engaged with community. I always looked forward to talking with him. He was authentic and will be missed.

Fireradio
Guest
Fireradio
2 years ago
Reply to  Katie McM

I just lost a home to a probable earthquake shift…the 5.1 quake in July. It exploded one hot afternoon – my propane shut-off wasn’t triggered on my tank. It was a home designed by Bob McKee and built by others – some of them now friends from the lower Mattole. This place was magical…so many levels and not one bedroom closed off to the rest of the house – you had to be friendly. Kids just loved to stay – ladders up to single beds, and an experimental way to pull hot air from the stove pipe down under the house and then the stove would pull it up around the edges of the living room from below the house, when taking in cold room air. Josette and Dennis Landergen had him design and build it. They were our neighbors for a few years before we had the opportunity to buy it, clean it up, and then we shared it with the community for out-of-town family/organizational events/vacation rental.
Everyone loved Hawk Creek House. I hope he and Val just move in now!

Ernie Branscomb
Guest
2 years ago

He will be missed. He was the spiritual node of SoHum. Very few points of separation would lead you right back to him. He was involved in just about everything SoHum.

I’m not sure of the connection, but back in history the McKee and Branscomb family are related.

My condolences to his family and his many friends. What are we going to do without him?

Charlie (the original)
Guest
Charlie (the original)
2 years ago

Grieve my friend, grieve. That’s what we’ll do. What we lost with Bob could never be replaced now. May he and Val be together again.

Thinkthenact
Guest
Thinkthenact
2 years ago

Bob showed the locals, in the 1960’s, how to treat these newcomer “hippies”; the bearded, long-haired, unbathed men and braless, hardworking, fun-loving women were treated with respect and dignity. My condolences to family and friends for the loss of a loved one.

Kim
Guest
Kim
2 years ago

I am a fan of the man. I have always considered him to be the person who made it possible for me to join in our legacy community. Long live the legend.

7bob_mckee_sallaway_6245.jpg
elvis costanza
Guest
elvis costanza
2 years ago
Reply to  Kym Kemp

I really see Tasha’s face in this photo. We were classmates a million years ago. RIP, Bob. My thoughts are with the family.

dawni
Guest
dawni
2 years ago
Reply to  elvis costanza

fyi – Bob is Tasha’s step dad so the bonding and family ties are indeed strong. Her bio dad has a lot of the same features as Bob and they were great friends themselves.

Jeffersonian
Guest
Jeffersonian
2 years ago
Reply to  elvis costanza

Tasha was his stepdaughter

Sam
Guest
Sam
2 years ago
Reply to  Kym Kemp

Perfect one of Bob

in the background
Guest
in the background
2 years ago
Reply to  Kim

Great picture Kim…. thanks for documenting the journey of our community

Pepperwood
Guest
Pepperwood
2 years ago

In certain ways, a mentor of mine, and 😊 also a lesson of what not to do. Be at peace, Bob. Job well done. Few of us will remain on the lips of others as long as you.

Mary Ann Machi
Guest
Mary Ann Machi
2 years ago

Sending all my love to the family.

XGratefulX
Guest
XGratefulX
2 years ago

The roots that gave folks an opportunity to be where we are today are almost all gone. Give thanks.

Much Love
Guest
Much Love
2 years ago

Swing Low Sweet Chariot ……

Country Joe
Member
2 years ago

Rest In Peace Bob The Builder…He was very kind to me…

in the background
Guest
in the background
2 years ago

Rest in peace Bob… “Friend of the Hippies” glad you gave so many a start in So-Hum

Noel Manners
Member
Noel Manners
2 years ago

Bob and Earl helped me build my house in SoHum and years later Bob took me for a hair raising ride in his Cessna to show me a beautiful piece of land overlooking Round Valley and Covelo. Price $390 an acre. I’ve been here more than 20 years so far. Adios Amigo!

Mary Ella Anderson
Guest
Mary Ella Anderson
2 years ago

Bob was like a father to my late son Sigurd [edit]. I will always be grateful to Bob for having been Sigurd’s mentor and friend. God rest you, Bob. You were a good friend. You will be missed.

Last edited 2 years ago
Jeffersonian
Guest
Jeffersonian
2 years ago

An independent, controversial, pleasant,creative man who wasnt afraid to fight city hall. His pioneer roots served him well. He was an icon in his community.

Panthera Onca
Guest
Panthera Onca
2 years ago

The morning star in the east was exceptionally bright this Sunday morning. Thanks Bob.

Guest
Guest
Guest
2 years ago
Reply to  Panthera Onca

I saw it this morning too, shining through the window…

The man was an icon.

Unparalleled.

If you didn’t know who Bob McKee was, you weren’t from here.

Legendary.

Doug Ingold
Guest
2 years ago

A great gift he and Val were to all of us who knew them. Nina and I send our love to the family.

Beni
Guest
Beni
2 years ago
Reply to  Doug Ingold

My family bought our land in Briceland from Bob, like many of others in the late 60’s and 70’s. Great family that has done so much for the community. My grandmother and Val were great friends and she lived in one of their houses near Whitethorn Construction. Thank you Bob- you will never be forgotten- RIP!

TJ Jennings
Member
TJ Jennings
2 years ago

Hoka-Hey!; born April 1973 ( and still going today) thanks to Bob’s trust and generosity. Forever grateful !!
Fly with the eagles, my friend!

Xebeche
Guest
Xebeche
2 years ago

Rest n peace sir. You will remain in the hearts of this community for a long long while. Love, respect and condolences to all who knew him.

Sam
Guest
Sam
2 years ago

Thoughts prayers and love to the McKee family- bless you – Joe and Julie Bonino

VHDA
Guest
VHDA
2 years ago

Sending my heartfelt condolences to the lovely McKee family. Veda

Driveby
Guest
Driveby
2 years ago

I can remember the little ones, now in their fifties, excitedly shouting, “Bommakee, Bommakee”, when he would arrive in his old white Powerwagon. A man can have no greater legacy.

Marisa
Guest
Marisa
2 years ago
Reply to  Driveby

I’m one of Bob’s granddaughters, and I am so intrigued by this comment! Can you elaborate on this story?

Harold Lawrence
Guest
Harold Lawrence
2 years ago
Reply to  Marisa

Bob was really a go-to guy in so many ways. I met Bob when I was just barely out of my teens, I was working with my father Frankie Lawrence and we did some logging for Bob. After that I was kept in touch with Bob because he was always looking for properties with some Timber on it and stuff so I kept an eye out for those things. In 1981 back in the days when everything was in classified ads I found a guy that was looking for a piece of property to put a little college or something like that or to just get out away from the big cities . I got a hold of the gentleman and after listening to what he was looking for I called Bob and sure enough Bob said “by golly I’ve got a 60 acre piece of property right here in Briceland, it’s perfect for what you’re looking for, all Meadows from the road up to the top and there is a big old barn on the top of it”. So I got the two guys together the three of us went out and stomped that beautiful property, it had I think three ponds on it in the different levels going up the hill. The guy loved the property and him and Bob both being people that didn’t want to involve a lot of time and trouble, they put together a deal in about 3 weeks , might have been a few weeks longer than that, this is 40 years ago but there was somebody looking for something and Bob found exactly what the guy was looking for. We all went away with smiles on our faces. Everybody has a few negatives that people can put out there about them, I’m sure I do, but my best and favorite memories of mr. Bob McKee is of a man that didn’t try to impress anyone, showed up in a old American Eagle four wheel drive car a lot, and had a wonderfull wit and good-hearted Ness about him that did make many many people happy to have met the man and have had him in their lives. God bless you Bob McKee and your family.

Thirdeye
Guest
Thirdeye
2 years ago

Is this the Bob McKee of Tooby Ranch and Williamson Act fame?

Jeffersonian
Guest
Jeffersonian
2 years ago
Reply to  Thirdeye

Yes, the one that proved the County of Humboldt deceived him about the saleabilty of his patent parcels and passed last minute regs to try to prevent him, but he caught wind of it and sold them just before the new regs went into effect. More proof you cant trust even local government.

jason
Guest
jason
2 years ago

Absolute legend!

Ben Round
Guest
Ben Round
2 years ago

Bob was an anchor in this community. He was a voice of reason and compassion to many.
I did not know Bob more than in passing. We knew who each other were, and were friendly upon (rarely) crossing paths.
One time though, at a fiery Humboldt county Board pf Sups meeting, when my passion caused me to make an inappropriate cultural reference regarding Humboldt county enforcement staff, Bob came up to me in the hall outside the chambers afterwards and carefully explained why I had ‘gone too far’. His appropriate comment (advice) was delivered with compassion, no vitriol. I was embarrassed, but I took his wisdom to heart. And as such, that encounter has stayed with me to reinforce his ‘fatherly’, leadership presence in this community. With much respect, Bob. Thank you!

Charley
Guest
Charley
2 years ago

Bob was a living legend, and his legacy lives on. Condolences and love for his family, friends and community. What an extraordinary man.

Ches
Guest
Ches
2 years ago

Thank you Bob for welcoming us into your community. For driving me around and showing trees to me.

R. Burke
Guest
R. Burke
2 years ago

R.I.P. sir…Godspeed to you and my condolences to the McKee family and friends.

Cetan Bluesky
Guest
Cetan Bluesky
2 years ago

Devastating! RIP Bob! Definitely playing poker in heaven!

Jeff Spies
Guest
2 years ago

I interviewed Bob McKee for a documentary film we are making about the birth of the Solar PV industry and found him to be a friendly, interesting, and congenial person. I took this screenshot of one of my favorite portions of his interview.

My condolences to his family, his friends, and all the community of SoHum for the loss of this great man. Bob made a difference, for the better.

Jeff Spies
Guest
2 years ago

Unfortunately, I am unable to post the photo of Bob McKee from our interview for Solar Roots – The Pioneers of PV. We are going to search the video footage to see if we can make the entire interview with Bob McKee available to anyone that would like to view it.

Last edited 2 years ago
Rudolph Kohs McKEE
Guest
1 year ago

I was just reading Laura’s latest “Now and Then…” (4/1/22) and saw Bob’s OB.

Bob was a cousin via the Don Calvin side, who homesteaded at Thorn Junction about 1872-3; I’m from Don Calvin brother’s side, the Frank Hammond family, who homestead in Bear Creak in 1873. Don Calvin was one of Bob’s grandfather; Frank H. was one of my great grandfathers. I’m 81 now and four months, and live on Long Island. An aside: both Bob and I are related to most of the old families of Southern Humboldt and Northern Mendocino. The BRANCOMB’s are related to the McKEEs Erie via Ernest Maxwell “Max” McKEE’s (Ernest, Frank, Alonzo, …) marriage to Pat BRANCOMB.

I have known Bob since he taught at the Thorn grammar school. He was raised in Eureka and graduated from Humboldt State with an elementary teacher’s degree. Thence he relocated to the Don Calvin homestead after graduation and taught school at Thorn for a short while. Then he got into the real estate business, etc.

Bob and I were always good, life-long friends, besides being just cousins; and I always like him. Many times over our early years he (and his Uncle) would visit to my parent’s home in Redway, and is how I first got to know Bob. In fact, I became very fond of him – Bob was a very likeable guy. After I graduated form Cal Poly, San Louis Obispo, I land surveyed for Don BUSHNELL for several years — before going south and then east. During those days I land surveyed some of Bob’s properties; as well as many properties he had sold to other. So we knew each other on several levels. For Bob was one of the few honest businessmen.

He said at one time that when he got to be forty he was going to go back to school and become an architect. He didn’t return to school but he could really design really imagative houses and building. He was soft-spoken and intelligent: in this he always had lots of charisma and charm; and was an outgoing, friendly man, who always was happy to see you. And he had lots of friends too, who liked him. To me he always appeared to be somewhat larger than life. He was musically inclined and later in life he played piano at a piano-bar in Ferndale. He wasn’t a polymath per se, but he was close. At one time later in life he candidly told me he had made some bad business deals…

It is so sad to lose another life-long good friend. Part of me is now empty.