Robert "Bob" Sandoval

 Robert (“Bob”, “Bobby”) D. Sandoval went to meet our Lord on October 29, 2024, at the age of 77, after a long battle with end stage renal disease. Born in Stockton California, he was the grandson of a Colorado coal miner. His parents moved to California hoping to prosper from gold mining with French Camp being their first town to call home. He spent many of his formative years in San Francisco where he was fortunate to meet the love of his life, Ivonne who he married at St. Kevin’s Church in San Francisco. Before making Hanford California his forever home, he owned a service station, giving away Hot Wheels for each full tank of gas purchased. Bob and his wife Ivonne were faithful parishioners of Immaculate Heart of Mary Church and served as Eucharistic Ministers. He also kept watch as a guardian of the Blessed Sacrament at Saint Brigid’s Adoration Chapel. They along with their children enjoyed much friendship and a rich spiritual life at both parishes in Hanford.

Bob was a mechanic and he serviced heavy equipment in Kings County. He was also an artist, teaching art at the Kings Art Center and Michaels. Stained glass, fused glass were his preferred mediums but he loved all art. After retirement, Bob lived a life of service, volunteering at Saint Joseph’s Christian Supply in Visalia, Valley Children’s Hospital, the local soup kitchen, feeding the homeless in shelters and in the outdoors. He loved talking with others about the Lord and helping others to learn Christian Meditation following the teachings of Father John Main, who was a Roman Catholic priest and Benedictine monk. Bob so wanted for others to be in the presence of and know God as he sought His presence in his life through meditative stillness (silence). He taught Christian Meditation in small groups in association with the church and in the prison system. Bob loved to make people laugh. His favorite comedy routine was Abbott and Costello’s “Who’s on First” and he made reference to this often in his life. He was a friend to many, a father and brother to those who needed one and taught everyone so much about faithfulness, grace in suffering, servitude and compassion towards others. Thanks be to God that Bob now rests in peace and silence (Maranatha).

He is preceded in death by his father, Manuel Sandoval, mother Evelyn Blanco Johannsen, his brothers Donald Sandoval, Jimmy Sandoval, Jack Sandoval and Michael Dalmau, nephew Marty Dalmau and beloved mother-in-law Isolina Moreno. He is survived by his loving wife Ivonne Sandoval, his sister Jean Dalmau, his daughters, Jeneane Stevenson and husband Dustin, Rheta Silvas and husband Marty, Angie Belflower and husband Robert and son Robert Michael and wife Tiffani; grandchildren Alexis Gonzales and husband Hector, Emily Stevenson, Isabela Belflower, Viv Silvas, Ethan Stevenson, Chase Sandoval and Camden Sandoval; great grandchildren Mila, Indiana and Roami Gonzalez; nieces, nephews Michele, Christy, Jennifer and Victoria Dalmau, Cheri Bussani, April Romero and husband Dave, Andres Vargas and wife Marfred, and Irene Garcia and husband Louis.

Mass will be said at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church on Thursday, November 7 at noon. in Hanford followed by a graveside burial at Calvary Cemetery.

The family would like to express their sincere gratitude to Kaweah Health Dialysis team, Davita Lemoore and Dr.Tariq Javed for their care and compassion of Bob.

In lieu of flowers, a donation to one of his favorite charities would be appreciated: Medical Missionaries of Mary https://mmmworldwide.org , St. Anthony Retreat (Three Rivers) https://www.stanthonyretreat.org

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