Robert “Bob” Sattler

Robert “Bob” Sattler, a long-time real estate broker and mortgage finance specialist in Newport Beach, has died at the age of 90. He died from bladder cancer at home in the loving company of his family.
Bob arrived in California at the age of 3, driven across the country in a Model T Ford with his family from Lafayette, Indiana. His father owned a successful automobile dealership in Beverly Hills, but lost it all during the Depression. Bob never forgot the lessons he learned during the lean years, and practiced thrift the rest of his days.
The Sattler family later settled in Fullerton, where Bob and his brother G.H. graduated from Fullerton Union District High School in 1938. They often came to Newport Beach, where Bob developed his passion for the ocean and sailing.
Bob volunteered for the Navy at the outbreak of World War II, and spent the majority of his time in the South Pacific on the minesweeper USS Requisite. He suffered a traumatic brain injury during a kamikaze attack on his ship near the end of the war. He spent six months in a hospital in the Philippines, during which time he was made a member of the Balboa Yacht Club, in 1945.
When he got home from the war an old friend gave him his start in mortgage finance and the Balboa Yacht Club gave him a place to live, in an upstairs apartment at the clubhouse. He always said it saved his life to have those to come home to, as he was still recovering from his war injuries. Bob continued to be an active member of the Balboa Yacht Club throughout his life. At his death he had been a member for 66 years. His son Stephen, his daughter Carol, and his granddaughter Christy and their families are continuing the tradition of membership in the BYC.
After he retired from his well-known local business, Sattler Mortgage Company, Bob took up bicycling and made many, many friends along the highways of Orange County and around the world on the trips he so enjoyed. He continued to bicycle until the age of 90 and could be seen all over town. He would rather hop on his bike than use his VW bus, “Big Red”, another Corona del Mar icon.
In 1962 Bob married the love of his life, Nancy Prough, a single mother with four children whom he loved as his own. Nancy, Steve & Kathy, Sara, Rob & Jane, and Carol survive him, as do the 9 grandchildren and 6 (soon to be 8) great-grandchildren. They are forever grateful to “GrandBob” for being so brave as to take that huge job with such grace. Bob spent his last days being cared for by his loving wife and family, and being visited by a host of friends and relatives. The family would like to thank Hospice Care of the West for their wonderful service these last few months. In lieu of flowers, donations are requested to the “Maritime Sciences and Seamanship Foundation”, c/o the Balboa Yacht Club. Services will be held Saturday, August 20 at 11:00 AM at St. Michael and All Angels Church in Newport Beach.