Bob’s Story

The Early Years

Bob Sanborn was born in Rochester, New York in 1961. He was the 4th of Frank and Mickey Sanborn’s 6 children. In 1969, the Sanborn family moved to Huntington Beach, California. This is where Bob’s life-long love affair with all things water related began. As a result, Bob swam competitively, on a club team, starting at the age of 8. Then, he swam for 4 years at Edison High School. Additionally, he swam 2 years at Orange Coast College where his team was, of course, league champions. During those early years, Bob also joined the Huntington Beach City Junior Lifeguard program during the summer of his 9th year. He participated in Junior Guards for 8 years. When he was 18 Bob was hired as a summer life guard by the City of Huntington Beach – his dream job! He worked a tower for 2 years and then became a Jr Lifeguard Instructor for an additional 3 years. Consequently, Bob was doing what he loved to do, working at the beach, working with kids and leaving an indelible impression upon his young charges.

College and Career

In Bob’s junior year of college he transferred to UC Santa Barbara. Ultimately, that was where his life was altered forever. For Bob met, fell in love with, and somehow convinced Sharon Wilson to become his bride. Together, they moved to New Hampshire where Bob earned his doctorate degree from Dartmouth Medical School. Bob had attended medical school on a Navy scholarship and after graduating Alpha Omega Alpha he became a Lieutenant in the US Navy. After completing his service with the US Navy and his anesthesia medical residency at Stanford University, Bob and Sharon settled into life in Sacramento where they raised their two kids, Kyle and Kyra. Bob joined the Anesthesia group at Mercy General Hospital where he worked for 18 years. Fortunately, Bob worked with a group of people that he greatly admired. Bob felt that he worked with the best of the best, from his fellow doctors, to the nurses to the clergy folk at Mercy General. In life, you spend a good portion of your waking hours with the people you work with and Bob loved his job because of the quality people that he got to work with.

The Importance of Family

Bob’s most joyous moments always involved spending time with family and friends. As such, Bob was a devoted father, a loving and dedicated husband and an excellent brother, son and friend. Luckily, he found a group of kindred spirits in Sacramento. His Arden Hills swimming buddies became his mountain peak conquering, Lake Tahoe endurance swim crossing and biking buddies. Bob loved the camaraderie and fellowship he shared with this great group of friends, he surrounded himself with liked minded folks and together they pushed each other and keep each other motivated for their many adventures together.

Gone too Soon

Sadly, Bob passed away unexpectedly at the age of 55 from sudden cardiac arrest on December 16, 2016. While he was taken from us far too soon we know that he led an exemplary life of meaning, purpose and great love. He lived every day to the absolute fullest, enjoying the big adventures and the small family moments with equal love and joy. He inspired everyone that loved him to be a better person.