Obituary of Robert Bryant Sonniksen

Robert Bryant Sonniksen, Bob, passed away on March 16, 2021. He was 94 years old and was living in Salinas for the last two years after residing in Hollister for most of his life. Bob was born in San Juan Bautista to James and Annie Sonniksen on October 28, 1926. He went to several elementary schools throughout the San Juan Valley. He attended Hollister High School and graduated in 1944 during World War II. Bob went into the Navy after high school with special permission as he was only 17 years old. He served as a radar technician from 1944 to 1946. He also went to San Benito County Junior College. Bob worked for the telephone company after the Navy. He told stories about putting line up to Mt. Toro. He worked in the San Francisco Bay area with the telephone company as well. After marrying Lucille, he worked for his in-laws at the Highway Garage trucking company for many years. In 1973 he went to work for Coast Counties Truck and Equipment Company in San Jose and later Salinas as the Peterbilt shop foreman. He had a love of the outdoors from fishing with his high school friend at Leavitt Meadows on Sonora Pass to camping with his family in Big Sur and the Sierra Nevada. He especially liked taking his family on backcountry roads in southern San Benito County, Monterey County, and the Sierra Nevada. These were very memorable experiences always fun, some exhilarating, even “scary” because of undeveloped mountain roads. He enjoyed playing golf and was part of the “Dawn Patrol” every morning at Ridgemark Golf and Country Club. He belonged to Knights of Columbus, Sons In Retirement, and Hollister Exchange Club. Bob is survived by his two daughters, Terri Sonniksen and Robbie Sonniksen of Salinas. He was preceded in death by his wife Lucille Sonniksen. A memorial mass will be held at St. Benedict’s Church in Hollister on Tuesday, March 30, 2021 at 11:00 a.m. Memorial donations can be made to St. Benedict’s Church in Hollister or Immaculate Conception Church in Tres Pinos.