Robert Joseph Sebold Jr.

Robert Joseph Sebold, Jr. passed away at his home in Amherst, VA on October 7, 2024 at the age of 61. He was born in Panama City, Panama to Robert Joseph Sebold, Sr. and Consuelo Judith Estrada on August 31, 1963. He grew up in Oceanside, CA, sparking a lifelong love of surfing.

He leaves behind his two sisters, a son, Richard Hawthorne (Phoenix, AZ) and grandson Kaiden. He also leaves behind his family of the heart; Teresa, Stephanie, and Benaiah Bartholomew, Hope Irons, Cadence Irons-Jones, and Cassandra Irons-Ramsdell. The list of friends he called family is too innumerable to count.

It doesn’t matter if you called him Robert, Bob, Bobby, or Paco the Aztec Warrior, ultimately everyone called him Friend. He loved music and photography, making movies and capturing life. Bob swallowed life whole, living in the moment and making the best of what he had. He was always up for an adventure and experience, willing to try anything once (and if it was fun and dumb, at least twice). He wasn’t here for the normative experience, eschewing societal parameters to dance to his own tune.

While never marrying, he created family communities wherever he went. First, with his brothers in the Army, where he served as a watercraft operator. Then, with the Paramedics and Firefighters he served with, and lastly with the musicians and filmmakers he worked alongside. A jack of all trades and master of some, it was rare to bring up a topic on which Bob could not contribute some knowledge or experience. He was proud of his efforts as an EMT and firefighter, and was most proud of his time spent giving of his energy and skills at Ground Zero in the immediate aftermath of 9/11 and as Search and Rescue in New Orleans in the wake of Hurricane Katrina.

Bob never shied away from asking for help and was the first on hand to help others in whatever capacity possible. If you needed anything, it was probably in the trunk of his car. He was both wise and foolish, irreverent yet serious, nonjudgmental, but quick to call you on your fallacies. He was full of humor, always had a ready smile and laugh; he made everyone his friend and loved them exactly where they were, never loving them less for their imperfections. Few people are as willing as he was to fail spectacularly or look ridiculous, and he was the first one to laugh at himself. He didn’t take life too seriously, and saw the beauty in everything and everyone.

Impossible to replace, he leaves a legacy that is wide and varied. Those wishing to honor his memory can contribute to a memorial fund via CashApp $BobSebold or Venmo @Robert-sebold or PayPal @Unclepaco

The family will host a Celebration of His Life in the coming weeks. Whitten Monelison Chapel is assisting the family during this time.