Robert "Bob" Senkbeil

Robert "Bob" A. Senkbeil, 74, currently of Columbia, CT passed away on March 26, 2024, at Hartford Hospital with his family at his side. Born in Manchester, CT on January 3, 1950, the son of the late Charles Oliver and Antoinette (Schiavetti) Senkbeil. Bob grew up in Hebron and graduated from RHAM High School in 1968, and Hartford State Technical College (CT State Community College Capital) in 1970. In 1975, Bob married and moved to East Hampton, and in 1983 they moved to Columbia where they have lived for the past 41 years.

He was an electrician by trade for 46 years and worked for McPhee Electric for most of that time as a member of IBEW Local #35. After retiring, he enjoyed working at Camp Asto Wama where he helped maintain the camp and its grounds.

An avid hunter, fisherman and outdoorsman, Bob also enjoyed skiing, scuba diving and hiking in his younger years, then playing sudoku, minesweeper, and golf in his later years. Throughout his life, Bob was athletic and loved to find new adventures. He also loved puzzles, learning, and figuring out ways to build or do new things himself, such as building his home with his wife and getting his license to pilot airplanes.

His favorite pastime, however, was spending time with friends and family. To his friends, “Bob”, “Bobby”, “Gramps” was always willing to lend a hand, have a good time, share a great story and have some great laughs. To his family “Dad”, “Grandpa”, “Grampy” taught life skills, self-sufficiency, problem solving, and self-sacrifice to his kids with kindness and patience. With his grandchildren he was a mix of sweetness and gentle hugs and tickles and silly stories.  To his wife, Bob was the perfect match. They partnered together building their home for many years, and they shared their love of family, making it a point to get everyone together for vacations and holidays, to share meals, stories, love, and laughter. He will always be the other half to her golf game.

He is survived by his wife of 48 years Katherine (Barney) Senkbeil; his children Jennifer Marvin and her husband Gary of San Antonio, TX and Amy Sartori and her husband Luigi of Lebanon, CT; his grandchildren Alexandra “Lexi” Call and Samantha Marvin of San Antonio, TX, and Giulia Sartori and Lucia Sartori of Lebanon, CT; his brother David Senkbeil of TX and his sister Audrey Buckwell and her husband Bud of Columbia, SC.; his many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his brother Gary Senkbeil.

There are no calling hours. His Celebration of Life will be held on Friday April 12, 2024 at 4:00pm at the Columbia Congregational Church, 325 Route 87, Columbia, CT 06237.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Robert "Bob" A. Senkbeil, please visit our floral store.