Robert William Zobel

Robert William Bill Zobel was born to Robert George Zobel and Sharon Marie Eggert in San Diego, California on July 20, 1955. He grew up in Concord, California as his father made a career in the Navy. Bill's brother Roger joined him within a year, and they have always been close. After high school graduation, Bill joined the Navy and served during the Vietnam era on the aircraft carrier Oriskany, logging airplane maintenance. After his honorable discharge, he continued serving with the naval reserves in the Seabees. During his late twenties, Bill dedicated his life to his Lord Jesus Christ. He joined a Christian singles group in Bakersfield, California, where he met Becky Lynn Fields. The two were married in Bakersfield on December 8, 1990, and have made their home in Bakersfield since that time. Over the years Bill has worked at various occupations, eventually retiring after twenty years with the County of Kern Public Works Department as an Environmental Technician doing water well sampling, and working at the Special Waste Facility. Bill and Becky were blessed with four sons, Michael (1993), Matthew (1997), Mark (1999), and John (2006), who were all privately home educated. John remains in the home as a high school senior. Bill's activities and service have included Boy Scouts, Prison Fellowship, Gleanings for the Hungry, Kern County Sheriff volunteer, Park Stockdale board member, Kern County Honor Flight, North Kern Christian School Home Study Program board member, missionary trip to Guinea-Bissau in Africa, trip to Europe, travel in Alaska, and work for TSA at Meadows Field in Bakersfield. Bill went home to be with his Lord Jesus Christ on Tuesday, May 23, 2023. He was predeceased by his father Robert George Zobel, his brother Blake Garrison, and his sister Vicky Sproat. He is survived by his wife Becky and four sons, Michael Zobel, Matthew Zobel, Mark Zobel, and John Zobel, his mother Sharon Marie Eggert, his stepmother Gladys Zobel, his brothers Roger Zobel and Alan Garrison, and his sister Kelly Ice. His gentle sense of humor, unselfish servant heart, and welcoming acceptance for those he met will be sorely missed by his family, friends, and those with whom he worked and volunteered. We shall meet him again in glory! A memorial service was held at 11am on Tuesday, May 30, 2023, at Rock Harbor Church, in the 24-Hour Fitness building at 3633 Rosedale Highway. Visitation is Monday, June 12, 2023, from 10am-12:30pm at Basham Funeral Care Chapel, 3312 Niles St. Bakersfield, CA 93306 Interment will follow at 1:15pm at Bakersfield National Cemetery. The family wishes to thank their family, church family, and friends who have reached out with support during this difficult time. Your love, acts of kindness, and prayers are much appreciated.