Robert William Blattner

Mar 6, 1955 - Feb 2, 2023

Robert William "Bob" Blattner died peacefully in his sleep at his home in Davis, CA on February 2, 2023. He was 67. Bob was born in Erie, PA to Bill and Mary (nee Lang) Blattner. He spent his early childhood in Walnut Creek, where he gained a lifelong affection for Northern California. His family moved to Pittsburgh, PA in 1964. Bob attended Shady Side and then Andover high schools, and Yale University, where he studied medieval European history and captained the swim team. Following graduation in 1976, Bob worked as a swim coach at Pleasant Hill Aquatics and as a composer and occasional performer of musical theater in San Francisco. In 1986, Bob began Journalism School at UC Berkeley, where he met his future wife Ann. He worked as a reporter at the Sacramento Union, the Daily Press of Newport News, VA, and the Sacramento Bee. Bob was the founding editor of the Education Beat. In 1994, Bob started his final career as an education consultant, helping public school districts and county offices navigate the intricacies of school finance. In 2006, he founded Blattner & Associates. It never had an associate. Bob believed deeply in the importance of public education and its necessity to a functioning society.

Those who remember Bob will remember him smiling. He enjoyed spending his time and energy on the things he valued: music, good food and drink, history, time in the water, and, above all else, his friends and family. He was married to his beloved wife Ann for 30 years, and leaves behind her, their sons Jack and Robby, and his brother John.

In lieu of flowers, please take time to enjoy a nice dinner with people you love.

The Sacramento Bee's coverage of Bob adds some color about his careers as a reporter and as an education consultant.

Through his vibrant personality, zest for life, and concern for others, Bob touched so many. If you'd like to share your own words or see what others have written, you can do so here.

And if you were unable to attend the March 4th memorial, or want to revisit it, you can watch a video of the service.