Bob Righetti

Bob Righetti

Bob was born July 20, 1931, in San Francisco, to George Maheras and Louise Righetti.

He grew up there, attending parochial school and then three years at Jesuit College where he majored in epistemology.

Following that, Bob entered the U.S. Air Force. He served four years and played on the Air Force basketball team. The scoring records he broke while playing there remain to this day. His talent in basketball landed him an opportunity to play for the Washington Senators, the traveling team that played against the Harlem Globetrotters. The grueling tour schedule got to him after a while; his final stop was at Las Vegas, where he would begin an illustrious career in the gaming industry.

Beginning as a lifeguard at The Flamingo, Bob worked his way up, learned the games and, at the age of 27, became the youngest casino manager in Nevada history.  He later went to work for the Nevada State Gaming Commission as an enforcer to ensure casinos and patrons were following the rules. This experience led him to create a unique investigation agency that provided inside protection for casinos against gaming fraud. Bob also developed a mug book of frequent offenders that would come to be world renown. 

While in Las Vegas, Bob met a young cocktail waitress by the name of Elaine Hendricks. The two would eventually fall in love and be married at noon, Dec. 11, 1967, in Lake Tahoe, Nev.

The couple moved to Brookings, in 1989 and purchased Sporthaven Restaurant and Lounge.

Bob was a very kind and generous man; he went out of his way to help anyone in need and was a mentor to many. 

Survivors include his wife of nearly 42 years Elaine of Smith River; daughters Pamela Righetti of Harbor, Carol Reems and her husband David of Clayton, Ga.; sons Mark Righetti of Clayton, Rick Nelson Righetti of Brookings, and Ronald Righetti and his wife Chrissy of Brookings; grandchildren Victor Banks and his wife Misty, Brittany Righetti, Cheyenne Righetti, Kedrick Nelson, Chantelle Nelson, Kenny Reems and Kevin Reems; great-grandchild  Taylor Reems; brother Oliver Treewartha of Las Vegas.

A potluck celebration of Bob’s life will be at 1 p.m.   Sunday, Nov. 15, at the Voodoo Lounge, Lower Harbor Road., in Harbor. All are invited to bring their favorite dish and to share their favorite memory of Bob.

Submitted by Redwood Memorial Chapel.