Robert (Bob) Eugene Sanchez, age 89, was called home to be with the Lord on Friday, May 3, 2024. Bob was born on August 8, 1934 in Jacksonville, FL, to Frank and Thelma Sanchez and grew up with his older brother, Frank, and his younger sister, Patty. He graduated from Miami Jackson High School and then earned a bachelor’s degree in Math and Physics from Baylor University.  After college he went home to work with his father in the family petroleum equipment business. With his entrepreneurial spirit Bob went on to grow this business which became known as Sanchez Hose and Equipment. Later, being drawn to the North Georgia mountains, he moved to Blairsville, GA, and immensely enjoyed developing property, raising show quarter horses, and helping the development of what we now enjoy as downtown Blue Ridge. He bought a building on Main Street and opened Blue Ridge Antiques, which he operated with his wife, Beverly, and son and daughter-in-law, Robert and Liz Sanchez. These were fun years.

Bob was a man of strong Christian faith, being active in several churches over his lifetime. He was a man of great character and integrity.  He was devoted to his wife, Beverly, and delighted in his two children, five grandaughters, and two great grandsons. He was a good friend and neighbor and cared deeply for those God placed in his life.  Bob was a man of many hobbies throughout his lifetime. He raised horses, gardened, hiked, cheered for his alma mater - the Baylor Bears, danced, painted, enjoyed music, and wove beautiful baskets. His family will especially remember his strong love for them, his gentleness and kindness, his love of long walks and good conversation over a cup of coffee. 

He was preceded in death by his parents, his brother and sister-in-law, Frank and Mary Sanchez, and his darling wife, Beverly, to whom he was happily married for 54 years. He will be missed by all who knew him, but especially by his sister, Patty Manning of Cashiers, NC; daughter and son-in-law, Terri and Chris Sinclair of Duluth, GA; son and daughter-in-law, Robert and Ashley Sanchez of Blairsville, GA; five precious granddaughters, Elizabeth Ashley Sinclair, Christine Elizabeth Garrison (Mark), Sarah Katherine Bruce (Travis), Katherine Grace Sanchez, and Ivy Ann Sanchez; and two great-grandsons Everett Mark and Marshall Robert Garrison.