In Memoriam: Bernard Monetta ’51, OD ’52

Bernard Monetta ’51, OD ’52 died July 30, 2022, at age 95. He was born in Toledo, Ohio, to William and Kate Monetta. The family soon moved to Vallejo, Calif., where he became an Eagle Scout and attended Vallejo High School. He often noted that his high school years, spent with seven close knit guys who were inseparable, were some of his favorite times. Monetta was called into the U.S. Army in World War II, and was stationed at Hickam Air Force Base in Honolulu, Hawaii, where he repaired B-17 Bombers. Following the war, he used the G.I. Bill to study optometry and graduated from Pacific University in 1952. He opened his own practice, Dr. Monetta Optometry, in the Stonestown Shopping Center in San Francisco, Calif., in 1954. He practiced for over 30 years and the practice continues today with his son, Robert, on Ocean Avenue.

Escaping the fog in San Francisco, Monetta met the love of his life, Nadine, on a summer day in Marin County. They were married in the Gold Room at the Fairmont Hotel, where they also celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary. They had a storybook marriage lasting almost 62 years. They traveled the world together, but remained true San Franciscans at heart. They were members of Lake Merced Country Club and of Monterey Country Club while spending time in their Palm Desert home.

Monetta was preceded in death by his wife, Nadine; brothers-in-law, Louis and George Everett, and Leonard Hurwitt; and sisters-in-law Yvonne Hurwitt and Peggy. He is survived by his two sons, David and Robert Monetta ’82; daughters-in-law, Lisa and Natalie; grandchildren, Alexander, Kayla, Zachary, Jaqueline, and Dominic; and many nieces and nephews.