Robert Edward Badal

Following a full and inspirational life, Robert Badal passed away on August 22^nd, 2021, doing what he enjoyed so much - riding his motorcycle.  He was a loving husband, exemplary father, proud grandfather, caring brother and uncle, respected colleague, and loyal friend.

Bob was born on January 31^st, 1952, in Philadelphia, PA to Robert Joseph Badal and Alice Virginia Badal.  He was the fifth of six children.  He moved to the north Chicago suburbs when he was five and spent his childhood playing baseball, having acorn wars with his brother and their neighborhood friends, and learning about music from his older sisters.  When Bob was 12, the family moved to Sacramento, CA, where he attended Rio Americano High School.  He graduated from UC Davis with a Bachelor of Science in 1974, began his long career as a microbiologist, and became a recognized figure in the field of antibiotic resistance diagnostics and research.

Bob was a man of many passions and pastimes.  One of his greatest joys was riding his motorcycles through the winding roads of the Northern California redwood forests as well as the switchback turns of the European Alps, oftentimes with his closest friends.  He adored Christmas more than anyone.  He would start playing Christmas music as early as August and would celebrate the holiday so vibrantly that it would rival Clark Griswold.  Bob was famous for his annual Oktoberfests.  They would draw friends and family from all over, at the very least so everyone could see him in his lederhosen.  Bob also enjoyed photography, especially taking photos of his loved ones (including his motorcycles), listening to all kinds of music from Beethoven to Bluegrass, cooking gourmet meals for his family both in the kitchen and on the grill, falling asleep while reading, hiking in the mountains, and traveling to Europe, especially to Germany and Austria.  But, by far the most important thing in his life to him was his family. 

Bob is survived by his wife of 23 years, Sibylle, his children, Edward, Erika, Inga, and Max, and his granddaughter, Morgan.  He leaves his five siblings, Judith, Roberta, Suzanne, Jeanette, and David, as well as an army of nieces, nephews, cousins, in-laws, and other relatives. 

A celebration of Bob’s life will be held at the East Lawn Mortuary Chapel on Greenback Lane in Sacramento on Sunday, September 19^th at 9:30 am. Out of respect for Bob’s personal convictions, we are asking that all attendees be fully vaccinated and adhere to a double masking standard as well as any other local standards and laws. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Bob’s name may be made to the National Forest Foundation.