Robert Sanchez

Robert Anthony Sanchez, 38, passed away Friday January 31, 2025 in Fairfield, California. Born August 3, 1986 in Vallejo, Robert was the youngest of three children.

Diagnosed with severe autism and pervasive developmental delay in the 1980s, he lived a joyful, simple, and socially active life with his family and the Filipino American Community.

Though largely non-verbal, Robert always found ways to communicate what mattered to him - from choosing his designated seat in every car he rode in (always the rear right) to what he wanted to order in restaurants (most likely soup, nachos, chicken strips, or pasta).  He found great joy in daily rituals: walks at the mall or in Lawler Ranch, faithfully recording upcoming events (Fil-Am meetings and holiday parties) on his wall calendar, and taking his afternoon nap to the sound of The Price is Right playing on his TV. 

Robert loved swimming and playing slots at Cache Creek, sharing breakfast with his dad at Burger King and Jack in the Box, crafting and day trips to Six Flags Discovery Kingdom with his sister, and weekend getaways at his aunties' houses. He especially loved traveling to Las Vegas, Monterey, and Disneyland. Of course, no trip was complete until he could share his newest treasures from shopping or travel (from keychains to t-shirts and light-up toys) with each member of his extended family. His most recent adventures included a trip to Palm Springs and his first cruise to the Mexican Riviera.

His family will forever cherish his gentle, happy sounds sung in private moments, his special one-word vocabulary that only those closest to him could interpret, his subtle, silly sense of humor, and his obvious way of changing the subject when he sensed he was in trouble and they had caught him doing something he wasn't supposed to do.

Robert touched many lives and was deeply loved throughout his community. He was truly a blessing to all who knew him and will be profoundly missed.

He is survived by his father, former Suisun City Mayor Pedro "Pete" Sanchez and his older sisters Rhea and Rochelle. He was preceded in death by his mother, Editha "Didi" Sanchez, who died in 1997.