Robert Arthur

1941 - 2025

ROBERT THOMAS ARTHUR

June 27, 1941 – May 7, 2025

Robert Thomas Arthur was born in Los Angeles, CA on June 27, 1941, to Stanley & Dorothy Arthur. When Bob was one years old, his family moved to Bakersfield. Bobs childhood began in the downtown Bakersfield area where he went to local schools; Wayside Elementary, Emerson Jr. High and graduating in 1959 from Bakersfield High School. He joined the US Naval Reserves soon after graduation. After a year of military service, he was injured while on duty and given an Honorable Discharge.

During his high school years, he competed in swimming and diving and became a Class A SYL (San Joaquin Valley League) diving champion. His love of water never wavered. At the age of 50-years old, he bought his treasured 50-foot sailboat Caparo. He anchored it in Avila Beach and joined the San Luis Yacht Club. Bobs most memorable times were sailing with family and friends around the Channel Islands and up and down the California Coast. His thirty-year SLYC membership ended when he began struggling with both heart disease and Parkinsons.

In 1962 Bob married Christine Leon. They shared over 30 years together while raising their three children, Scott, Julie and David. After several years of separation from Christine and living alone, Bob met Cherrie Sabin who he married in 2001.

Bob lived a life of miracles, having nine lives much like a cat. He survived after being run over by a truck at 4-years old; hit by a train at 16; colon cancer at 45; sunken ocean boat at 50; gangrene of the appendix at 60; gallbladder surgery with complications at 76; and three open-heart surgeries at 77.

Bob was a natural born salesman and used that ability by spending over 40 years as a real estate salesman and broker. He sold countless properties in Bakersfield as well as many in the nearby mountain and ocean communities. His infectious smile and friendly demeaner attributed to his many lifelong friendships from high school to current relationships.

Bob was also a general contractor for a few years which included subcontracting two restaurants Carrows and an Elephant Bar. He loved working with his hands by building memories for his family. He constructed sit-on rocking animals and doll houses for his grandchildren and large birdhouses on tall pedestals for his children. He even built a tree house in his granddaughters back yard which included a pole allowing them to slide down quickly mimicking those in a fire station.

Bob is survived by his wife Cherrie; his three children Scott Arthur(wife Barbara), Julie Beacock (husband Kyle) & David Arthur (wife Erika); three stepchildren Kevin Pifer (wife Kelley), Kimberly Mitchell (husband Ron) & Shannon Register (husband Dave); five grandchildren Zoe, Clair, Grace, Arabella & Oliver, one great grandchild Everett, 6 step grandchildren Brett, Scott, Taelyr, Shea, Kason and Kyllian as well as many nieces and nephews.

He is also survived by two sisters Betty Bridge in Mississippi, Beverly Neal (husband Bill) in Sacramento; brother-in-law and best friend Stephen Smalley, stepsisters in-law Robin Cooper (husband Bobby) and Terri Rocha in Oregon. Bob was preceded in death by his parents and his sister Dorothy (Bootsie) Walter.

A huge thank you from his wife Cherrie to the caring and thoughtful Wellness staff at Brookdale Assisted Living in Bakersfield and the caregivers and nurses at Hoffman Hospice, especially Annie Sams who helped both me and Bob as his struggles became more difficult.

A viewing will be held at Basham Funeral home on SUNDAY, May 18, 10am to 2pm for friends and family.

www.bakersfield.com/obits