Missing Bobby B

From the Marin Independent Journal and Vellejo Times Journal.
Photos by WES HUMPSTON

With great sadness, we said goodbye to Robert Edward Biniak, 51, beloved husband, father, son, brother and uncle who passed away on February 25.

Bob Biniak leaves a rich legacy as both an incredible athlete and person. He was a leading member of the Zephyr Skate Team, known as the Z-Boys, the group whose aggressive, surfing-inspired approach to skateboarding during the 1970’s reinvented the sport. Bob was simply known as "the Bullet," a nickname that saluted his speed and innovative skateboarding style. He is a skateboarding legend and pioneer. Bob was featured in two well-received films, the documentary “Dogtown and Z-boys” and the feature film “Lords of Dogtown”.

Bob loved surfing and the ocean and lived most of his life near the Santa Monica-Venice Beach neighborhood called Dogtown, until moving to Benicia two years ago. After leaving skateboarding, he pursued a career as a professional golfer where he toured South Africa and Europe. As recently as 2008, he played in the sectional qualifying round of the U.S. Senior Open. When not traveling with his job in legal advertising sales, he could often be found on a local golf course, sometimes with his daughter or nephews. He especially enjoyed time spent with family at Sea Ranch where he was married 12 years ago. Bob’s gregarious nature, sense of adventure and infectious grin assured that he had many friends no matter where he traveled.

Bob is survived by his wife Charlene Capitolo-Biniak (formerly of San Rafael) and daughter Brianna (5) of Benicia, his mother Dolores Levy of Encinitas, two sisters, Mary Ellen Barnett and Kathy Higgs and many members of the Capitolo family in Marin and Folsom.

A memorial service will be held at the McGinnis Golf Park Center on April 17^th at 11:00am. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the Brianna Biniak 529 scholarship fund, checks can made to Brianna Biniak and mailed to Brianna Binak 1261 Military west Benicia, CA 94510. Further information about services and donations is available at http://biniakbulletins.blogspot.com/. Words cannot express how much Bob will be missed by so many.