Obituary of Robert Walter Sikes

ROBERT "BOB" WALTER SIKES 01/06/1937 - 08/09/2013 Walter Perry Sikes & Elma Viola Raygor-Sikes, with daughter Janet Carolyn, Welcomed Bob into the world on January 06, 1937 in Erie, Pennsylvania. In 1943 the family moved to California, where at age 10 Bob met Gerald McGladrey who became the first of many lifelong friends. During his high school years Bob felt privileged that he rode the school bus with Natalie Wood, Played Baseball (catcher) for Don Drysdale and was friends with Randall "Scooter" Salmon whose father was the famed test pilot Herman "Fish" Salmon. Scooter's father took the boys on exciting plane rides. Then on August 9, 1957 Bob called Sandy Uhlman to arrange their first date to see Elvis Presley in "Love Me Tender". They were married on October 26, 1958. Soon after, Bob was employed by Pacific Motor Trucking Company where he hauled everything from cars to Christmas cards. During these years Bob & Sandy had 3 children; Cynthia Sue; William Robert & Gary Scott. Bob also operated a tow truck, crane and other heavy equipment. These experiences led him to being employed by California Trucking Association as the 5th licensed diesel truck driver instructor in the U.S.A. From CTA he was recruited in 1968 by Douglas Aircraft Company, a component of McDonnell Douglas Corporation as head of their new Traffic Safety and Driver Training Program. His training techniques' pulled Douglas's trucking division of 250 + drivers from last place in their national division to First place within 1 Year. Via his reputation in the trucking industry he set up driver training programs at Long Beach Fire Department then Long Beach State Collage. In 1970, Bob's in-laws, Jack & Minnie Uhlman convinced him to move the family to the new city of Lake Havasu, Arizona, where they joined Sandy's parents in the auto parts business. "Jacks" Auto Parts. In 1971, as an outside sale rep. for the business, Bob met Bruce Chong. They were to become "brothers of the heart". During the 70's Bob helped the Lake Havasu City Fire Department to organize a diesel driver training program In 1973 health events occurred with Minnie Uhlman that necessitated selling the family business. 1975 saw Bob & Sandy strike out on their own and open Quality Auto Parts that later became NAPA auto parts which they operated for 20 years. From 1992 -1995 Bob & Sandy operated Hav-A-Tour bus lease / All Seasons Tours where they enjoyed taking people to Laughlin and other tourist locations through the south west. In his "semi-retirement", Bob enjoyed hauling luxury boats and trailers coast to coast / border to border. When not "on the road " he would arise, have coffee on the patio with his neighbor, Bob "Robbi" Wells, fix Sandy her breakfast, then send her on her way with, "If you don't leave I can't bring in the dancing girls" He would take his day companion "Cooper J. Dog" to Tri M for donuts then a drive thru the park. When on her way home Sandy would call "do I need to pick up anything" no…. I'll make sure the dancing girls are gone! Sandy never saw the dancing girls. Bob is survived by his loved & loving wife Sandy, his loyal companion, Cooper J. Dog, Sister Janet Fendley, daughter; Cynthia Brunetti (Ray) sons; Bill (Susan) & Gary (Jennifer) Sikes grandchildren, Michael Alan Brunetti; Heather Nicole Brunetti Goodrich; Allison Krystine Brunetti DeAngelo; Shawn Alan Sikes; Kenney Robert Sikes; Ronni Marie Sikes; Scott Oliver Sikes; Derick Lichtenberg & Brandon Gigliotti, 6 great-grandchildren, nephew; Greg Fendley (Ira Jean) their 3 children and grandchildren. Bob was preceded in passing by his father, mother, father-in-law and mother-in-law. Love is patient, love is kind, it always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres, Love never fails. This was Bob. His love never failed.