Robert "Bobby" Allen Sakata, age 60, passed away on Tuesday, January 31, 2023. Robert was born in Humboldt, NE on July 19, 1962 to Tokinori George Sakata and Pearl Arlys Sebbert. He started school at the age of 5. He attended school in Alliance, NE and was confirmed at Immanuel Lutheran Church. Bobby was involved in Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts until the age of 18. He moved to Lincoln, NE when he was 20 and graduated from Lincoln High School at the age of 21. Roller Skating was a family event and he started at the age of 4 and became very accomplished by the time he was 6. At the age of 7 he began participating in Special Olympics. He won medals for roller skating, track and field and basketball, ultimately winning a gold medal in free-style roller skating for International Special Olympics in 1987. He moved to Christina House in Wichita, KS June 1, 1996 and worked at Starkey where he made life-long friends. Bobby attended various outings, events and continued to participate in Special Olympics. As a child one of his favorite possessions was a red Radio Flyer Wagon that he pulled with his toys while wearing his favorite cowboy boots. He favored Christmas music, vanilla ice cream any time of the year and Hot Wheel Cars.
He is survived by his sisters,Tami J. (Richard) Hoover and Tracy A. (Scott) Leonard, and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents.
A visitation for Robert will be held Friday, February 17, 2023 from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM at Hillside Funeral Home West, 2929 West 13th Street North, Wichita, KS 67203, followed by a funeral service at 1:30 PM.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.HillsideFuneralHomeWest.com for the Sakata family.
