Robert Martin Graham's Obituary
It is with great heartache and sorrow that we announce the sudden and unexpected passing of
Robert Martin Graham, (Curly Bob). He passed away in his sleep at his home in Rio Linda,
California on May 16, 2017. He was 77 years old.
He is preceded in death by his mother, Goldie (Sally) Summers, father, George Graham,
mentor, Rattan Singh (Jack), son, Michael Riddles, (MP) granddaughter, Jenny Cooley,
brother, Thomas Graham, and sisters Georgia Fisher (Snodge) and Mary Graham.
He is survived by his loving wife and best friend of 45 years, Janine Graham (Pooder) of Rio
Linda, daughters Michele Graham (Mick) and Keri Thomas (Frank), daughter-in-law, Loretta
Riddles (Rebecca), brother Anthony Orsillo, (Sister-in-law, Patricia) and his baby sister, Sally
Zimmer (Brat).
He will be greatly missed and fondly remembered by his 6 grandchildren and 4
great-grandchildren, many, many nieces, nephews and friends, all of which he loved and cared
deeply about.
Robert was born December 23, 1939 in Sacramento, California……but he never really grew old.
He was a kid at heart, with a sense of humor that always had the whole room laughing.
He grew up in Yuba City, California where he started working at the young age of 14, to help
support his 5 siblings. He was a responsible, hardworking young man with great looks and a
bad-boy persona….quite the ladies man.
His move back to Sacramento, was also the start of a life long career as a truck driver. He
loved driving truck and was well known by other truck drivers…hence the name, “Curly Bob.” He
drove truck for many, many years until be became disabled and had to retire.
In 1972 he met and married Janine, the other half of himself and became as instant father to
Michael, Michele and Keri. Being a husband and father defined the kind of love, loyalty and
enormous selflessness that grounded the way he would live the rest of his life.
He was grace, honor, gentleness and kindness (with a fire cracker temper in his younger years)!
If you were fortunate enough to have met him, you remained in his life forever and eventually
he’d give you a nickname that stuck with you for life.
Those who loved him, lost so much in his passing….
Yet gained so much from his living
Grave side Services will be on Wednesday, May 24, 2017 at 12:30pm
Sunset Lawn Chapel of the Chimes
4701 Marysville Blvd.
Sacramento, CA 95838
There will be a gathering of family and friends afterwards at his house
What’s your fondest memory of Robert?
What’s a lesson you learned from Robert?
Share a story where Robert's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Robert you’ll never forget.
How did Robert make you smile?