Robert "Bob" Harold Sanks

Born in Decatur, Illinois on October 19, 1942, Bob was the son of the late Harold and Mary Sanks. He graduated from McArthur High School in 1960. He went on to earn a Bachelor of Arts from Millikin University in 1966 and then an MBA in marketing from the University of Chicago.

He married Julia Edwards on September 24, 1966, in Hillsboro, IL. They were together 53 years until the time of her death.

Bob was drafted into the Army in 1968. After basic training in Georgia, he was scheduled as a radio operator in Vietnam. Due to pneumonia, he was blessed with a desk job in Athens, Greece. After a little convincing, Julia traveled to Greece to spend the year with him where they were able to live off base in an upstairs apartment.

Bob started his working career at Heinz in Pittsburgh, PA. He spent most of his career in marketing for the poultry industry working for Tyson Foods in Fayetteville, Arkansas and Pilgrim’s Pride in Dallas Texas. Bob then served as the Executive Director of the North Dallas Food Bank. Through a job change, he and Julia moved to Athens, GA where Bob lived for the last 25 years. Bob and Julia owned a Sylvan Learning Center for 10 years while in Athens.

In retirement, he volunteered at Timothy Elementary School, joined Classic City square-dancing club with Julia, and attended Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) classes at the University of Georgia. Bob was also an avid reader of historical nonfiction and spent many hours in the yard gardening.

Bob was an active member of First Presbyterian Church where he was a member of the Men’s Bible Study Class, sung with the Mellows group at retirement communities and served on the Mission and Outreach commission. His mission and outreach work included managing the building of a Habitat for Humanity House and a mission trip to Haiti.

Bob is survived by his daughter and son-in-law, Lisa and Steve Brown, who have temporarily moved to Athens, GA; sister-in-law, Jane Sanks of Sarasota FL; niece, Beth Edwards; and nephew, Matt Edwards. He is preceded in death by his wife, Julia Sanks; his brother, Dick Sanks; and his brother-in-law, Robert “Bob” Edwards.

A memorial service will be held Friday, November 22, 2024, at 2:00 PM, at First Presbyterian Church of Athens, 185 E. Hancock Ave, Athens, GA 30601. A reception will follow the services at the church.

Memorial donations may be made to Bethlehem Ministry, www.bethlehemministry.org

Bernstein Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.