Robert Warren Snellings

Robert Warren Snellings

(August 29, 1928 - January 27, 2021)

Bobbie Warren Snellings, later Robert Warren Snellings or Bob to most people, was born in Columbia, Missouri on August 29, 1928 to Nelson and Violet Snellings.  At the age of 92, Bob passed away peacefully on January 27, 2021.  

Since Bob’s father worked in construction, Bob’s early years were spent living in various locations around the Columbia area, frequently moving to be ready for the next job.  Then in 1940, his father got a job offer to be a carpenter foreman for McCarthy Brothers Construction Company, building military facilities in the Panama Canal Zone.  Bob’s family packed up and moved to Coco Solo where they spent six years living in the Panama Canal Zone.  Bob graduated from Cristobal Junior High School in 1942 and The Cristobal High School in 1946, something he always liked to talk about.

After Panama, Bob returned to Columbia, Missouri, and in the fall of 1946, entered the University of Missouri at Columbia.  In 1949, Bob attended Air ROTC Summer Camp at Lowry Air Force Base in Denver, Colorado.  It was during his time in Denver that he met the love of his life, Patricia.  Bob returned to Columbia to continue school, and Pat followed later that year.  They were married in December 1949 and spent the first years of marriage living in Missouri, Illinois and Minnesota, working in construction, before moving to Sacramento in 1955.

Bob and Pat had a remarkable life together, raising four great kids, each born in a different state.  Bob (and Pat) would often say “four was enough and that’s why we quit moving”.  After nearly 30 years of working for the State of California, Bob retired, and he and Pat started traveling the world.  Their travels aboard 25 cruises took them to many ports of call, including Alaska, the Caribbean, the South Seas, Europe, the eastern USA coastline, and Mexico.  Bob loved being with his family and friends and was always ready for a party, card game, movie or round of golf.  He was known for always having a joke to tell, often telling the same joke as if it was for the first time and he enjoyed a full laugh each time.  Bob was also known for his warm hug and great smile.  He will be missed by all!

Bob is survived by his four children:  Bob Snellings (Bonny) of Rancho Murieta, Becky Brown (Mike) of Elk Grove, Tom Snellings (Wanda) of Sacramento, and Tim Snellings (Deena) of Nevada City.  He is also survived by 4 grandchildren:  Shawn Brown (Petrea), Jamie Snellings, Sierra Kaiser (Christoph), and Tyler Snellings (Kara) and 8 great-grandchildren:  Sasha and Cody Brown; Anton, Victoria and Miriam Kaiser; and Jeremy, Matthew and Benjamin Snellings.

His parents, Nelson and Violet, wife Pat of 65 years, grandson Derek Snellings, and daughter-in-law Debe Snellings preceded him in death.  

At Bob’s request, no services were held, but the family will be planning a “Celebration of Life” at a later date to honor Bob’s long and amazing life.