Robert Allen Sickles

Sickles, Robert Allen Born 4/4/83, taken 1/1/11. Robert was born in Clovis, CA. His formative years were spent between Northern and Southern California, but he ultimately landed in Mission Viejo where he attended and graduated from Mission Viejo High School in 2001. Robert began classes at Saddleback Valley Junior College in the fall of that year, but after seeing the effects of the events of 9/11, he realized the call to serve his country and joined the Air Force. Robert served honorably for four years as a structural mechanic for the F-16 fighter aircraft. Two of those years were spent in Misawa, Japan and were truly two of the most rewarding years of his life. It was there that he acquired his love of the Japanese people, culture and cherry blossoms. After his honorable discharge from the military, Robert began work with Boeing in Salt Lake City. His Boeing work as a flight deck avionics technician lasted two years until the facility closed down due to circumstances surrounding the looming economic recession. Robert shifted his focus to higher education after the plant closure, studying Physics at Saddleback College and planning his admission to the University of Oregon for the fall of 2011. In the interim, he was to participate with the Saddleback College Track and Field team in the spring of 2011. Robert was an incredibly engaging, charismatic and outgoing young man. He was affable, laughed easily and had a great sense of humor that everyone loved. His huge smile lit up a room and was easy to recognize. People of all ages were drawn to him and considered him their friend. Robert loved his family and friends and his beloved time with them during summers at Bass Lake. He was generous to a fault and always the first to offer his services to those less fortunate or those in need. He lost his life stepping in to protect his younger brother from an assailant. Robert is survived by his parents Robin and Jim Sickles, sister Genevieve and brother David; Grandparents Eleanor Carney, Al Conver and Doreen Sickles; Aunts and Uncles John and Bev Oliver, Buddy and Sue Thatcher, Betty Oliver, Joe and Sandy Bott, Tom and Darlene Sickles; Cousins Susan and Alan Sickles, Kim, Kristine, Tracy, Ashley, Josh and Carl Oliver, Chris and Nick Gilbert, Rick Thatcher, Craig, Justin and Mike Charman, Heather and Ryan Bott. "When you pass down knowledge you live forever." Robert taught us so many kind lessons. His bright light will forever shine in the lives he touched. Celebration of Robert Sickles' Life, Norman P. Murray Community Center Orchard Terrace 24932 Veterans Way Mission Viejo, CA 92692 Saturday, January 8th, 1pm to 4pm If so desired, in lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Department of Veterans Affairs, V.A. Long Beach Healthcare System, 5901 E. 7th Street, Long Beach, CA 90822.