Robert Raymond Lange was born in South Dakota in 1929 to the Reverand Belno and Freida Lange. In 1943 the family moved to Stockton, CA where Bob’s father was pastor of  St. Andrew’s Lutheran Church. Bob loved to cook and began his restaurant career at Hazel’s Drive-In in Stockton. He graduated from Concordia Lutheran College (high school) in Oakland, CA in 1947.  

He met his future wife, Aina Elaine Eastburg, while employed at Sharpe Army Depot in Lathtrop. They were married in 1950 and moved to Ripon in 1954 where they raised their three children – Kurt, Brenda, and Scott. Bob attended Heartland Community Church (formerly Bethany Covenant Church) in Ripon.  

Bob owned and operated several restaurants throughout his life. The Hob Nob Pizza Parlor, the first  pizza parlor in Modesto in 1958, as well as the Hob Nob Drive-in across  from Ripon High, the Hob Nob Drive-in on Yosemite Avenue in Manteca, and two A&W Root Beer Restaurants – one in Stockton, and one in Modesto. Bob served on the National A&W Franchise Association (NAWFA)  Board for many years and retired in 1996. He grew bored with retirement and bought a hot dog stand in Manteca – Hob Nob Bob’s Hot Dogs –  where he served his favorite Casper Hot Dogs until he sold the business in 2003, after triple-bypass surgery in 2001.  

Bob’s passion was cooking for his family and big crowds – many church functions, family reunions, class reunions, and community picnics. His favorite event was the annual  gathering at his home in Ripon during the Almond Blossom Festival where he served his famous home-made chili for the last 47 years. Bob collected  cookbooks from all over the world and his collection holds more than 500. He was in the process of writing his own cookbook and also compiling his father’s sermons in a soon-to-be published book. He also enjoyed traveling in his RV, especially up to Oregon and to his hometown in Mitchell, South Dakota.  
Bob loved to sing, especially what he called “the good old hymns.” Bob also enjoyed sports and was a good softball pitcher. He loved watching his children, grandchildren, and nieces and nephews play football, baseball, basketball, and tennis. He also loved watching all the Grand Slam tennis tournaments.  

He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Aina Lange; his son Kurt who is married to Holly, and their  two children Amy and Zachary; his daughter Brenda; and his son Scott. He is also survived by his older brother Belno Lange, Jr., his younger sister Karen Madden, as well as many loving cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, his older sister  Betty West, and his younger brother Dick Lange.  

A memorial service will be  held at Heartland Community Church (formerly Bethany Covenant Church) on Thursday, February 25, at 11 a.m. In lieu of flowers, please make donations  to the Ripon Fire Department or forwarded to the Heartland Community Church at 510 W. Main Street, Ripon, CA, for the Bob Lange Campership Fund, which provides financial assistance for young people wishing to attend Mission Springs Summer Camp in Santa Cruz, CA. Arrangements  by Deegan Ripon Memorial Chapel; online guest book available at www.deeganfuneralchapels.com