Passing of Bob Sanchez from Diane Zablit
Bob Sanchez, field trial gunner extraordinaire, dog trainer & handler and hunter for more decades than I have been on this earth, sadly passed on December 11, 2008. He will be sorely missed for his friendship, his helpful advice on dog training (and shooting!) and especially his love of life – from a good tequila to a great quail hunt, the man knew how to enjoy life and made sure those around him did, too. He was a mentor to many and the upcoming Antelope Valley ESSC field trial in two weeks will be dedicated to Bob. The Springer community in Southern California will never be the same. For the many who knew him throughout the country, I share some more from his memorial service yesterday. There were also many humorous anecdotes shared from Bob’s life, too many to list here.
Below from the program at his memorial service 12/16/08 in Santa Ana, CA:
“To everyone that hunts or trains dogs, he will always be with us. He was a legend and will be remembered always by all who knew him. “
And below this wonderful eulogy by his friend William Green:
“To Bob,
Years back, in the late 20s, Wyatt Earp, the legendary lawman of Tombstone, passed on. One of the pallbearers was the silent film cowboy actor, Tom Mix. He wept openly at the funeral and when asked why he was so emotional as he was only distantly acquainted with Earp, he replied, “He was the last living link to the Old West.”
Today another era has passed.
Bob Sanchez not only was the friend of every hunter and dog handler he knew, but he was also the last living link to the old days of Southern California. He shared stories of open property, undammed streams, of fabulous duck hunting where strip shopping centers now exist, of hunting deer where crowded communities have now been built.
He regaled us with tales of simpler times, when Southern California was mostly orchards and the land was open and uninhabited.
Bob was an integral part of the history of that era and to this day, one of the most enjoyable hunting companions of all time. I once asked John MIlius, the great screen writer, director and a good friend, his description of Bob. He paused momentarily, then said, ”I have never been with Bob Sanchez that I didn’t have fun.” That in itself is a magnificent legacy to have left behind.
I myself recall the endless memories of the trips we’ve shared and the adventures and good times we’ve had together. The travel, the sport, the discussion of great shotguns and good bird dogs…the truly important things in life.
We’ve sat together and watched geese settling in over an Alturas marsh, we’ve been together when pintails spiraled down to a San Quentin backwater, we’ve hunted deer in the dim morning light, we stalked elk on a frozen New Mexico hillside. We’ve shared a hundred pigeon shoots, a thousand adventures, and a countless collection of great stories. Mexico, Argentina, Alaska, Canada and an endless memory of a wonderful friendship that will last through the eons of forever.
And then, one day, I will join you up there, and we will sit and share a glass of tequila as we stare in awe at the sunset becoming dim on the hills in Mexico where the Patailla grows, and we will both look down in pity on those less fortunate that cannot yet be with us to enjoy this end of a perfect day.
I will see you soon, my friend. “
