Robert Sansom

ROBERT "BOB" LEE SANSOM

(Jul 27, 2014)

ROBERT "BOB" LEE SANSOM, 90, of Huntington, W.Va., passed away on Saturday, July 19, 2014, in Myrtle Beach, S.C. His passing followed hip surgery several weeks prior. Dates and location for Huntington remembrance services will be announced to family and friends soon. Bob was born in Huntington in 1923 and graduated from Huntington High School. Months after his HS graduation (Nov. 1942) he enlisted in the US Navy and served on active duty until Dec. 1945, and then in Reserves until 1951. While a teenager he fell in love with his soul mate, Gloria June Johnson (also of Huntington) and they married while he was on leave in Jan. 1943. Bob then left to serve on one of our Navy's submarine chasers based out of Puerto Rico. Once the war ended Bob returned to Huntington and became a public accountant and ultimately became the owner of Robert L. Sansom Public Accounting Firm. This he successfully ran until he sold the firm in the late 70's. Bob was promptly asked to be the Executive Vice-President of Consumers Gas Utility Company (Huntington) and served in that capacity until he retired at age 80. Upon retirement he and his wife June moved to Winter Haven, Florida. When his wife, June passed away in 2004, Bob remained in Winter Haven, Fla., but moved in Dec. 2012, to live near his only child, Rebecca "Becky", in Sunset Beach, N.C. He loved to deer, turkey and rabbit hunt in Kentucky and much of West Virginia. He also loved fishing in West Virginia and North Carolina. He loved his many dogs and especially his Shih Tzu that has survived him. Many of his friends would label him as a "character" because his entire life he played harmless practical jokes on his buddies. He and June loved to be with their many business and social friends. He could tell a joke better than most. He was a gentleman and loving to his family. He was a proud and patriotic man. During WWII his mother died and though she was quite young when she died, she was the guiding and positive influence over Bob's long life. All who knew Bob will miss this generous man. He was the son of Otis and Iva Darnell Sansom. He outlived his two brothers, Henry and Otis Jr. Those who are grateful to have shared Bob's life include his daughter, Becky Dare and son-in-law Steve; their daughter Stephanie Torrez and husband Scott Torrez, and great-grandchildren Jake and Cole Torrez; and their son Justin -- all living in North Carolina; sister-in-law Lorraine Heilman and husband Bob and their two daughters Jill Gardner and Linda Long; also sister-in-law Eleanor Sansom of Arizona and her two sons, Joe and Alan. Memorials may be made to any veteran's organization of your choosing. Bob always was especially concerned about our country's disabled veterans. An online guestbook is available at www.msfh.net.