Charlie Inderbitzen & wife Sandy
LIVERMORE, CA – On November 1, 2017, our heavenly Father called on an amazing man known by many and loved by all, Charles “Charlie” Inderbitzen, of Basso’s Arena in Livermore.
Charlie was born Oct. 12, 1942, to Charles and Dorothy Inderbitzen. He was the oldest of four boys. He spent his early years on the family dairy in Modesto, later moving to Pleasanton in 1955. Charlie attended Amador High School. He was a veteran of the United States Army. After his service he worked at Moller’s Meats, Central Concrete and Pleasanton Garbage Company. He eventually started Inderbitzen Meat Company, the first of many successful businesses including C & S Construction, North Valley Construction and Bay Circle Construction. However, at the end of the day, Charlie’s main passion was cattle – he loved his cattle.
As a young man, Charlie was an avid team roper competing in California Cowboys Association (CCA) rodeos as well as our local Livermore and Rowell Ranch rodeos in the local team roping event. It was at these local rodeos Charlie first locked eyes with Sandra in the early 1960s. The two said “I do” in 1992. Sandra and Charlie were a match made in heaven, as she was also a large part of the roping family. The pair made their life’s dream a reality in the Livermore Valley, where they created and operated Inderbitzen Ranch, home of Basso’s Arena.
After establishing Basso’s Arena, the dynamic duo teamed up with ACTRA (American Cowboy Team Roping Association) and have hosted many team roping events throughout the years. He was also a participating director with the organization. Charlie was the ACTRA state champion team roper in 2009, an achievement dear to his heart. He was also proud of his two wins at Livermore Rodeo.
Outside of team roping, Charlie was a man with a vision and a drive to achieve it. He was a member of the Contra Costa Alameda County Cattleman’s Association and was awarded Cattleman Of The Year in 2012. He was also a member of the Native Sons of the Golden West, the Eagles Club, and the Alameda County Farm Bureau. Charlie was awarded lifetime member status in ACTRA in 2015. He was a lifetime member of the Livermore Pleasanton Rod and Gun Club, as well as a stockholder in the Livermore Stockman’s Rodeo Association. Inderbitzen Ranch was a large supporter of many rodeo events that they often donated cattle, as well as hosting numerous rodeo events. Charlie was an active part of the first annual Alameda County Fair Cattle Drive downtown Pleasanton in 2017.
Charlie is survived by Sandra Inderbitzen, his wife of 25 years; brothers Martin “Marty” (Barbara) of Pleasanton, and Ben (Prudence) of North Carolina; son Robert “Bobby” Inderbitzen and grandsons Tyler and Austin Inderbitzen, along with numerous nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents Charles and Dorothy Inderbitzen, son Charles “Chubs” Inderbitzen, and brother Edward “Eddie” Inderbitzen.
A celebration of life was held at the Inderbitzen Ranch in Livermore on Nov. 25. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to ACTRA Calif. Catastrophe Fund, 21098 Avenue 328, Woodlake, CA 93286, or to the American Heart Association, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., (800) 242-8721.