Robert Sanabria II's Obituary
In September 1960, Rob was born in Stuttgart, Germany, where he
almost never got out of life’s starting blocks. His birth, a breach, was an
emergency. And that was but the first of many surprises that would
attend his life. Despite that ragged start, he was a happy child and his
parents delighted to have him.
As a ten-year-old, he rescued a neighbor’s lawnmower put out for
the trash. He pushed it home, disassembled and cleaned it up, and put it
back together. His family used it for the next few years.
At 17, he got his first car. Not running well, he put it up on blocks
and began taking the engine apart. That turned out to be a little beyond
his ability. Still, the Honda mechanic called to finish the job was truly
amazed how well he’d done.
So, it was no surprise that he should leave home to study
electronics at DeVry University, followed by a successful 23-year career
with Honeywell, specializing in fire alarm systems for high-rise buildings.
He would have continued, had it not been for the rear-end accident in San
Francisco eleven years ago that left him infirm.
Rob loved all things having to do with water: a good swimmer, he
loved sailing, and couldn’t wait to learn scuba diving. He also discovered
that he had an unerring eye for archery and target shooting.
He also loved speed, not the kind you take, but the kind you do on
dirt bikes. It was natural that he should revert to working on the bikes of
other riders, to get them back on the track. As recently as a few weeks
ago, he had a few owners lined up to have him fix their bikes.
Rob loved animals and always argued to have a dog. Over the years
he had a number of them. But especially during these last years of his
infirmity, pain and suffering, dogs played a major role keeping him sane.
They were magnificent helping to keep him striving to recover. He often
said he might have lost his mind had his dogs not been there for him.
Their uncanny sense told them to be with him, when he needed them
most.
It was Rob’s tragic accident that showed the quality of the marriage
he’d made. And lucky he was to have met Anne, a wonderful woman, who had those qualities that make for success and happiness, even when times seem overwhelming. And such times, through their 26 years together, did come to test her mettle.
We loved Rob and we must now remind ourselves to focus on the
fine man he was, the joy his life gave us, rather than on the great void his
passing has left in our hearts.
Surviving Rob is his wife, Anne, his father, Robert, his sister, Suzanne von Englehardt (Nicholas), and two nieces, Alina and Olivia Albrecht.
What’s your fondest memory of Robert?
What’s a lesson you learned from Robert?
Share a story where Robert's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Robert you’ll never forget.
How did Robert make you smile?