The youngest of six siblings, with two dying as infants (Rueben and Eva), Bobby grew up primarily with his mom, his dad passing away when he was twelve. He attended the Boise City school system where he created life-long friends and began making music. He and dear friends had a band that played at dances and town functions.

He began a long distance love affair with his one true love Peggy, she in California and him still in Boise City.At the urging of his best friend, he picked up and moved to Globe, AZ where he worked for Globe Miami Cable TV. There, he married PeggyArmstrong and had a ready made family with Troy. Bob and Peg welcomed Buffy into the family in 1971.

In 1975, Bob became the manager of Sulphur Davis Cablevision and the family moved to Sulphur, Oklahoma where they would raise their kids and spend the next 22 years. Bob moved on from cable and held several jobs including the local radio station manager and salesman at the Ford garage. It was at their church, Faith Center, that Bob found his true home and purpose. He devoted much of his time and talents to growing the church with the founding pastors.

In 1997, Bob and Peg moved back to Globe when an opportunity arose to help a startup school with family friends. During this time, Bob’s love for children began to be seen and he moved up through the ranks of volunteer, student aide and finally Kindergarten teacher. It was here that he became the well known “Mr. U.” For 17 years, Mr. U was an influence on the children of Gila County as a caring and humorous teacher who would use his skills like teaching months of the year by singing “Calendar Girl” and talking like a duck. He was always requested by parents and loved by the children, playing his guitar and teaching new skills. After he “retired” he came back and taught Title 1 reading for many years until Peg said it was time to call it a career.

Bob and Peg have been a part of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Globe, AZ and enjoyed the fellowship of the wonderful congregation and pastor for the last 22 years.

There was never a person who met Bob who was a stranger. His humor and outgoing personality put everyone he met at ease. Bob enjoyed his children and his grandchildren, spending quality time in the Phoenix area with Buffy and Sidney as well as traveling to many places across the country to be with Troy, Jocelyn, Sarah and Sam. His favorite pastime over the years was fishing and he longed to be on Lake Texhoma with his good friends.

Bob is survived by his wife, Peggy; son,Troy and wife Jocelyn; grandchildren, Sarah and Sam; daughter, Buffy and granddaughter Sidney as well as three great-grandchildren, Silas, Beckett and Sophie. Bobby also left many nieces and nephews who will miss him greatly. He was preceded in death by his father, Juan; mother, Joan; brother, Benny; sisters, Margaret and Virginia; baby brother, Reuben and baby sister, Eva.

An Oklahoma memorial will be held Sept. 20 in Shay, OK.