Robert H. Graham M.D.

1936 - 2022

Robert H Graham, MD
August 21, 1936 - January 13, 2022
Gold River, California - It is with great sadness that we mourn the passing of Robert H Graham, MD of Gold River on January 13, 2022 at the age of 85.
Bob (as most people knew him) was born in Highspire, Pennsylvania to Robert and Ruth Graham and grew up in neighboring Middletown. He graduated from Lafayette College and attended medical school at Jefferson in Philadelphia, specializing in urology. It was during this time that he met the love of his life, Betty Jane Hassenplug, and the two were married in 1959. Bob served two years in the United States Air Force, one of those in Vietnam. There, he was awarded the Bronze Star for meritorious service as a urologist. After his return to the United States, he was transferred to Mather Air Force Base, and Bob and Betty chose Sacramento as the place they would raise their family. Bob practiced urology in the north area of Sacramento, caring for patients, chairing a number of ad hoc committees, and serving as Chief of Surgery at American River Hospital. He was known by all as a gentle, caring, compassionate physician. After retirement, he and Betty moved to Gold River, where they lived together until Betty passed away in 2016.
Bob was a lifelong sports enthusiast but a loyal fan and proud season ticket holder of the 1970s Oakland Raiders and later the Sacramento Kings. He and Betty loved attending those games and also following their own son's football career as a collegiate player for the University of Cincinnati Bearcats. Bob was an ardent historian - deeply knowledgeable about anything related to World War II and a self-proclaimed anglophile. In his later years, Bob truly enjoyed the time he spent working on model airplanes. Music was also an essential part of his life, and he was proud to have been a member of bands and choirs in high school and college. Through a chance encounter in 2008, he was invited to join the Sacramento Choral Society. That event would lead to one of the most rewarding experiences of Bob's life. He treasured his time singing with the choir.
Bob was a great patriot and a selfless humanitarian. He found joy in supporting any number of causes and organizations. He will be remembered by those who knew him best for his overwhelming generosity, limitless kindness, and devotion to his family. His love for Betty was without bounds, and we find comfort in knowing that they are together once again. We are eternally grateful to his caregivers, Frankie and Whitney, and also to a loving and supportive group of neighbors and friends in Gold River. He is survived by his children, Jeff (Elizabeth Graham) and Elizabeth (John Vigil), grandchildren Galen (Bryan Driskell), Sudy (Taylor Farmer), Larson (Olivia Graham), Bo Graham and great grandchildren Enzo, Brawn, and Graham Farmer.
A memorial service is scheduled for 11:00 am on Saturday, February 19th at the Arden Hills Country Club. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the Sacramento Choral Society (https://sacramentochoral.org/).