Robert Blair Mikel

1937 - 2025

Robert Blair Mikel

October 12, 1937 - July 19, 2025

Sacramento, California - Robert Blair Mikel, once described in a national magazine as the "greatest baseball fan in America," passed away July 19, 2025, at his home in Sacramento, California. He was 87.

Mikel, known to all as Bob, was born in Bloomington, Illinois on October 12, 1937, to parents Veronica Ellen Blair and Travis Warner Mikel, who preceded him in death. He was raised by his stepmother Mabel Mikel.

Mikel fell in love with baseball after listening as a boy to games on his father's car radio. He loved the Chicago Cubs and attended as many games as he could. He was a season ticket holder to Cubs' Spring Training in Arizona for decades. He stuck with his beloved Cubs even during their worst years. It was at a Cubs Spring Training game during the baseball strike that renown baseball writer Roger Angell featured Mikel in an article in the New Yorker magazine in 1995.

All who knew him described Mikel as a genuinely nice guy. He rushed to help anyone in need and believed in treating everyone with kindness and compassion. He often asked, when faced with challenging situations, what would Jesus do?" His faith guided his actions.

He stayed a proud supporter of social justices causes and always did his best to stand with people who were suffering, from the tumult of the 1960s and 1970s that he lived through, to the end of his life.

Mikel had an engaging personality, a warm smile, and a hearty, contagious laugh. He often laughed loudest at movie theaters prompting others to laugh along with him.

In addition to baseball, Mikel loved many genres of music, especially jazz. He also excelled at pop music trivia. He embraced Mexican culture and often attended dances featuring Mexican music. He met his wife Patricia at one such dance.

A devout Catholic, Mikel was a man of strong faith, who prayed the rosary daily. He attended both the Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament and Saint Robert Church.

A car enthusiast, Mikel could easily name makes, models and years of any car pointed out to him on the street. As a young man, he took part in drag races and won trophies in those competitions.

Mikel is survived by his wife of 54 years, Patricia Mikel, and daughter Monique Mikel Heiner (Drew). His son Arturo Mikel passed away June 18, 2021. Mikel is also survived by daughters Kerstin Albe, and Elise Lee (Shaun), and son RJ Kuhn (Linda) as well as sisters Sharon Hayes and Mary Armitage. Mikel had 10 grandchildren and one great granddaughter. His grandchildren were his greatest source of joy. They loved their "papi," as much as he loved them. He always looked forward to their visits and he was extremely proud of their success.

Mikel graduated from the University of Arizona with a business degree and from University of the Pacific's McGeorge School of Law. He ran his own law practice for decades. He was a volunteer arbitrator and settlement conference judge. He provided Pro Bono services often and eagerly helped family and friends with legal issues.

Services will be held at St. Mary's Catholic Cemetery and Funeral Home on August 8, 2025. Rosary begins at 9 a.m. followed by a mass at 10 a.m. and burial at 11 a.m. St. Mary's is located at 6700 21st Avenue, Sacramento.