In 1953, during the Korean conflict, Bob, at age 19, voluntarily joined the United States Air Force, becoming a navigator on the KC-97 aircraft that specialized in mid-air refueling of B-52s. He served in the Strategic Air Command from 1954-1966, before achieving the rank of Lt. Colonel and earning the United States Military Commendation Medal as well as being awarded the Meritorious Service Medal for Outstanding Achievement during the Vietnam War.

During his distinguished military career, he and his family were stationed throughout the globe, including Bolivia, where he was an advisor to the Bolivian Air Force, Spain, and Thailand.

In 1973, at the age of 39, Bob retired from the U.S. Air Force after 20 years of service, and moved his family to Chico where he attended California State University, Chico, earning his Bachelor Degree in Latin American Affairs. In 1975, as part of his education, he temporarily moved his family to Mexico City where he attended the College of the Americas before returning to Chico.

Always the entrepreneur, in 1973, he was partners with his brother-in-law Bert Allen when they opened the Peppermint Stick in downtown Chico. Enjoying the thrill of always having several irons in the fire, Bob began purchasing antiques in the Midwest and wholesaling them in Chico. In 1985, he and his family opened Just Your Type Graphic Design and Las Tapas Restaurant, both in Chico. He and his wife have been antiques dealers at 8th and Main Antique Mall since its opening 10 years ago. Bob was very knowledgeable about antique photographs and music boxes, as well as Victorian and turn-of-the-century oak furniture.

At the age of 60, Argentine Tango became Bob's new passion. He and his business partner, Nora Dinzelbacher, who was also his dance instructor, produced and directed Nora's Tango Week, held yearly in the San Francisco Bay Area, which was an international workshop for Argentine Tango. He also wrote The Devil's Tango, a musical drama for Argentine Tango, and was, at the time of his death, in negotiations to have it produced on Broadway.

Throughout his lifetime, he and his wife, Doris Eugenia, enjoyed traveling the world.

Bob is survived by Doris Eugenia, his wife of 50 years, his sons Michael of La Paz, Bolivia, John of Palo Alto, CA, Marc and his wife Yesenia of Chico, Eugene of Santa Paula, CA, his daughter Laura and her husband Vance Parker of Chico, his sisters Rose Miller of West Palm Beach, FL and Grace Dimidio and her husband Edward of Manchester, NJ, his brother James of Sunnyvale, CA, his granddaughters Sara Tarano of Berkeley, Cynthia Della of Vernon, NJ, Alexandra Moretti of Chico, his grandson Marco Moretti of Chico, his great granddaughter Maya Tarano of Berkeley, CA, and his sister-in-law Barbara Allen of Chico, CA.

A graveside funeral service with full Military Honor Guard will be held at Chico Cemetery on Monday, June 27, 2005 at 11 a.m. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to Operation Playground, a not-for-profit organization benefiting orphaned children of the recent tsunami in Thailand. Donations, made payable to ‘John Moretti, may be mailed to PO Box 9123, Chico, CA 95927, or online by visiting www.operationplayground.org.
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