I was saddened to hear about Bobby's passing. We went to school together for a very long time, and we were always pictured in yearbooks side-by-side. He was always so happy and brought a smile to everyone's face. He will be missed. God Speed Bobby.

A candle was lit by Debby (Turner) Bay on September 22, 2017 11:23 AM

A candle was lit by Carol Kawashima on September 20, 2017 2:10 PM

Message from Diane Miller

September 19, 2017 7:26 PM

I am so sorry for your loss. Hugs and prayers go out to you and your family.

Message from Andrea Matica

September 18, 2017 4:22 AM

I loved my brother, Bob. His life truly mattered. Yes, he was a person with physical disabilities but he was so much more than just his membership in that club. Nevertheless, Bob's rights were fought for very hard over the years by family members. My dad fought and won for Bob the right to go to regular schools rather than schools meant for those with mental disabilities, the deaf, and so forth. Bob was a regular guy in our view. My family fought for Bob's right for dignity in treatment at hospitals especially; he wasn't a science project. Bob, wasn't deaf and could hear each and every doctor/intern talk about his debilitations like his feelings didn't matter. My dad put a stop to that nonsense. In another case, Bob told staff he thought his leg was broken over an over again after he was in a minor car accident. The doctors and nurses wouldn't listen to him. They focused on other stuff. My dad had to call in Bob's private lung specialist to order the x-ray. Yes, the x-ray proved Bob's leg was injured. My sister, I recollect, had a pet peeve against people who parked illegally in the handicapped zone and would call mall cops or challenge these people when they returned to their cars. The American's with Disabilities Act helped folks using wheelchairs for mobility have better access to community. It was a challenge over the past couple of years to hear Bob communicate since it was hard to hear his words and I tried to read his lips for signals. Bob was made in the image and likeness of God. He had a special mission assigned from God to carry out for the salvation of all of us. Bob was a man who exhibited most of the fruits of his baptism. From the Catholic Journal, “The baptismal water is consecrated – so that those who will be baptized in it may be “born of water and the Spirit.” (CCC 1238). “The fruit of Baptism, or baptismal grace, is a rich reality – by which man becomes an adoptive son of the Father, a member of Christ and a temple of the Holy Spirit.” (CCC 1279). The 12 fruits are charity (or love), joy, peace, patience, benignity (or kindness), goodness, longanimity (or long-suffering), mildness (or gentleness), faith, modesty, continency (or self-control), and chastity. I would invite all to be more proactive about including handicapped people in their lives and less put off by how people look and to overcome their own personal challenges to do so. There are too few people who actually make the effort to know and love people like Bob. I don't feel like the Catholic church and health care policies helped my family enough. I hope things change. I miss Bob. He was a great guy. You would have loved his sense of humor and personality.

Message from Carol and Michael

September 14, 2017 9:58 AM

Please accept our deepest Ycondolences for the passing of your beloved son and brother. Your family is in our thoughts and prayers. May you be granted strength and comfort.
Carol Sakamoto and Michael Ogi