Robert Arthur Sayles

On May 14, 2017 long time California resident Robert “Bob” Arthur Sayles passed away peacefully after a brief illness. Bob was born in Stockton, CA on September 13, 1931 to Arthur Ledbetter and Rena Passavoy Sayles. He grew up in Stockton, attended Stockton High School and graduated in 1948. While in high school, he met his wife, Judith Ann Alles. Bob and Judy attended UC Berkeley, and graduated 1952. They married June 29, 1952 and enjoyed nearly 65 years of marriage. Bob served active duty in the US Marines 1952 to 1954 and several years of reserve duty. He started his career with IBM, working for 22 years. Bob then launched his own consulting company, Robert A. Sayles Associates, Inc., which he managed for almost 30 years, primarily in the telecommunication industry. His passion project of the last 12 years was the restoration and reestablishment of the historic Bowles Hall Residential College at UC Berkeley. His desire to improve the student experience at UCB lead to the formation of the Bowles Hall Foundation and restoration of historic Bowles Hall, which re-opened fall of 2016. It was his experience as a Bowlesman that shaped his life’s aspirations, career, and desire to provide future generations with the same experiences. Bob and Judy enjoyed many wonderful travel experiences to Israel, South Africa, New Zealand, Hawaii, but his favorite retreat was 25 years of family reunions at UC Berkeley’s Camp Blue. Bob is preceded in death by his parents, his step mother, Marie Brown Sayles, his sister Vera, brother Roy, step-sister Nadyne, and cousins Terry and Mike Sayles. He is survived by his wife Judy, children Pat (Jon), Cathy (Bryan), Kim (Steve), Jeff (Mary Kay), Nancy (Steve), grandchildren Jon (Monica), Steve (Theresa), Breanne, Shawna, Travis, Jason, Andrew (Courtney), Daniel, Erin and Joe, and great grandchildren Melissa, Anthony, Jessica, Darren, Haley, Grace and Collin. Memorial service will be held on Friday, May 26, 2017 at 11 am at Oak Hills Church, 1100 Blue Ravine Rd, Folsom, CA. In lieu of flowers, the family requests a donation to the Bowles Hall Foundation (11230 Gold Express Drive, Ste. 310-363, Gold River, CA 95670) or charity of choice.