Robert Sanchez, 43, Served in US Navy for 22 years, R.O.T.C. Instructor

Mr. Sanchez enlisted in the United States Navy in 1978 and embarked on a twenty-two year career with that branch of the military. He received his basic training at the Recruit Training Center in Great Lakes, Illinois, and moved on to complete duty assignments as a jet engine mechanic in such venues as Millington, Tennessee, Roosevelt Roads, Puerto Rico, and Cecil Field, Florida. From 1982 to 1986 he was attached to ATKRON 82 in which he saw action aboard the U.S.S. Nimitz. In February of 1986 he transferred to the Navy Orientation Recruiting Unit in Orlando, Florida; upon completion of his training there, he joined the Naval Recruitment Command and fulfilled duty assignments in Dallas, Texas, Los Angeles, California, Columbus, Ohio and Washington, D.C. His most recent assignment was in Millington, Tennessee. He retired from the military on January 31, 2000. He was the recipient of the Meritorious Service Medal, 2 Navy Commendation Medals, 4 Navy Achievement Medals, 5 Good Conduct Medals, 2 National Defense Service Medals, the Navy Expeditionary Medal, the Sea Service Deployment Ribbon, the Gold Wreath Award, the Meritorious Unit Commendation, the Navy Recruiting Service Ribbon, and the Humanitarian Service Medal.

At the time of his death he was employed as an Associate Naval Science Instructor in the Naval Junior Reserve Officer’s Training Corps (R.O.T.C.) at Admiral King High School, he had held that post since 2000.

A parishioner of the Catholic Church of Saint Peter in Lorain, Senior Chief Sanchez was also a member of American Legion Post #30 of Lorain. An ardent fan of all Cleveland professional sports teams, his hobbies included building models of Navy aircraft, gardening, and woodworking. He also enjoyed league bowling, and participated extensively in the N.C.S.L. League on Friday evenings at Shoreway Lanes in Sheffield Lake.

Mr. Sanchez is survived by his wife of fourteen years: Paul Sue (nee Blum), a son Robert J. Sanchez, MASN, currently serving with the United States Navy in Charleston, South Carolina, daughters Natashia N. Sanchez of Lorain, and Katie Sue Sanchez at home, his parents Rafael and Lydia R. (nee Santana) Sanchez of Saint Petersburg, Florida, brothers: Rafael O. and Wilfredo Sanchez both of Lorain, Hector and Louis Sanchez of Saint Petersburg, sisters: Shirley L. Miranda of Panama and Nydia R. Goodwin of West Palm Beach, Florida, along with an extended family consisting of aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Visitation will be Friday from 2-6 p.m. in the Gluvna-Shimo-Hromada Funeral Chapel, 3224 Broadway Ave., Lorain. Funereal services will be Saturday beginning at 9:15 a.m. in the funeral chapel and will be followed by his funeral mass at 10:00 a.m. in the Catholic Church of Saint Peter, 3655 Oberlin Avenue, Lorain. The Reverend David G. Woost, associate pastor of the church, will officiate. Pursuant to Mr. Sanchez’s wishes, burial with full military honors will take place at sea.

In lieu of flowers, the family respectfully requests memorials in his memory to either the Robert Sanchez Memorial Fund in care of any branch of Lorain National Ban, or to the Saint Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 Saint Jude Place, Memphis, Tennessee 38105.