Robert Ray Sanborn, affectionately known by all as Bob, passed away in Springfield, Missouri, in the early hours of Tuesday, April 21, 2026, at the age of 94 years old.

Bob and his twin sister Rita were born in Coffeyville, Kansas on July 26, 1931 to Orvil and Dora Sanborn. He attended high school in Independence, Kansas, and junior college in Iola, Kansas. He and his beloved wife of 74 years, Esther, were married on August 17, 1951, in Iola, Kansas.

He was employed with Cities Service and later Citgo Petroleum for 41 years, starting as a district clerk in 1951. He oversaw several major moves of the company employees and offices, first from Bartlesville, Oklahoma, to Tulsa, and then corporate offices from New York City, and finally moving 8 buildings of employees into the new offices at Warren Place. He particularly enjoyed his years presenting Retirement Planning Seminars for Citgo employees all over the country. In his later years working in the Supply and Distribution Department he scheduled tanker ships from Venezuela, Mexico, and Europe.

After retiring in 1992, Bob became active in Habitat for Humanity in 1993, and was one of 3 men who founded the volunteer group "The Tuesday Morning Miracle Workers". He was responsible for leading and coordinating the group for 20 years. Still active in supporting the work of the group, he recently had the honor of placing his signature on an interior wall of the 100th house build.

A love of music and performing started early when Bob and his sister Rita sang together at church as young children. In addition to directing church choirs, he sang in church choirs until he was 84 years old. He also sang in barbershop quartets as a young man, particularly in the Cities Service "Octanes" in the 1950's.

As another example of his leadership, Bob earned the Eagle Scout award and the Quartermaster rank of Sea Scouts the same year. In 1950, at 19 years of age, he led a group of 20 Sea Scouts on a trip to the National Boy Scout Jamboree in Valley Forge. The scouting tradition continues through the family with his son Mark, grandsons Allen, Tyler, and Grayden, all achieving the Eagle Scout rank.

Bob was preceded in death by his parents, Orvil and Dora (Sallee) Sanborn, older sister Leah Newman, twin sister Rita Sanborn, and grandson Brent Taylor. He is survived by wife Esther (Ashley) Sanborn, daughter Barbara Humphreys and husband Dave, daughter Laurie Fine and husband Richard, and son Mark Sanborn and wife Kathy. Also surviving are grandchildren, Marsha Spencer, Allen Sanborn, John Taylor, Tyler Fine, Grayden Fine, and Isaac Fine. Great-grandchildren surviving are Emma Taylor, Miles Taylor, Noah Taylor, Miriam Spencer, Samantha Spencer, Lula Sanborn, and Cyrus Sanborn.

A Memorial Service will be held on Monday, April 27, 2026, at 10 a.m. Moore Funeral Home's Southlawn Chapel (9350 E 51st St, Tulsa, OK 74145). Bob will be laid to rest prior to the Memorial Service at a private family burial.

In lieu of flowers, donations to the following charities would be greatly appreciated: Tuesday Morning Miracle Workers (Tulsacf.org, click on "Give Now") and/or Assistance League Tulsa (altulsa.org, and click on "Donate Today")