Robert James Crimmins Jr.

1939 - 2022

Robert James Crimmins Jr., 83, of Sacramento, California, passed away on Sunday, May 8, 2022 surrounded by his family. A memorial service will be held at 2:00 PM on Saturday, May 28, 2022 at East Lawn Cemetery. The nondenominational service will be officiated by Pastor Tom Norvell.

Bob was born in Dubuque, Iowa in 1939 and migrated to California in 1961. That same year, he married Gloria Lou Wood who joined him on his westward migration. Bob was at her side until the end, when she passed away in 2004 at age 59. While they were officially married 43 years, Bob’s heart was with her for the remainder of his life and he would put the count at 60 years. His first task on the other side will be to Google “Gloria tea.”

There is some consensus among those who know Bob best that he may be one of the most interesting men in the world; even those who did not know him well are in utter agreement that his personality was large and his energy effervescent. Writing a fitting tribute to Bob’s endeavors would require many pages but his life can be easily summed up as "family is everything" and he spent time with his daughter, sons and grandchildren virtually everyday. Beyond his job as the glue that united his family, Bob was these things too: serial entrepreneur, St. Bernard breeder, herbalist, philosopher, eucharistic minister, radio and television host, non-fiction author, rabbit farmer, honorable National Guard service, roffer, historian, jazz disk jockey, activist, and much more.

Some of Bob's favorite pastimes were baseball (Go Giants!), old Western movies, golf tournaments on TV and hiking in the California foothills (most especially in and around Coloma.)

Bob was passionate about many causes and devoted much of his time and energies to making the world a better place. He used his platform on radio, television and magazines to educate, inspire and cajole his fellow human beings to join him in his missions. Two of the causes he was particularly passionate about were sharing California’s rich history with school children and training severely wounded soldiers who had lost (or lost the use of) their arms to use their voices to control computers so they could reconnect with family, friends and society in this increasingly digital world we all live in.

Bob is survived by his brother Roger, his sisters Beverly and Kristine, his daughter Kimberly, his two sons Robert III and Shane, his grandchildren Candace, Brandon, Annalise, Sarah and Bryce, his great-grandson Jay, his great-granddaughter Talia, and many other family members and dear friends. Bob is predeceased by his wife Gloria, his mother Mary, his father Robert Sr., his sister Mary and his brother Richard.

In addition or in lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be given to the Wounded Warrior Project at this address: https://app.giv.io/campaign/349/

Bob’s family is grateful to the healthcare professionals who saved his life many times and helped keep Bob healthy while he was here and his kind and generous neighbors who kept an eye on him and were always there to support him when he needed it.  

Eastlawn Cemetery

9189 East Stockton Boulevard
Elk Grove, CA 95624
916-732-2031