Bob Stimmel, working hard at the job site building homes for families.
Remembering Bob Stimmel Our prayers go to Bob's wife Sherry, who shared her wonderful husband and life partner with us for over 20 years. Bob's commitment to our mission is a shining example of the good life has to offer us all. Bob will forever be missed. - Habitat staff
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The past year has taught all of us so many things, and one of the lessons is that life is precious. Recently, the Habitat community was reminded of this lesson when we lost one of our longest-serving volunteers, leaders, and friends, Bob Stimmel.
Bob’s volunteer service with Habitat began in 1999 after a home improvement show mentioned the organization. Bob was interested, so he made a call, talked to former CEO Tony Miranda, and started investing what would be more than 3,200 volunteer hours. He became the fearless leader of the electrical team (E-team), one of our first CORE volunteers, and Habitat’s licensed electrical contractor.
After serving over 20 years, it is impossible to imagine our new home construction build days without Bob. From playing classic country music and oldies tunes to his chats about trains, baseball, and family, while making sure tasks were completed correctly, Bob was a firm believer in the 50/50 rule–50% work and 50% fun! Throughout his service, Bob completed electrical work on more than 108 homes, saving Habitat more than $600,000 in direct labor costs!
If you ask about Bob, you will hear of his impact on Habitat homes. Other common themes included friend, teacher, mentor, fun and dedicated volunteer, proud San Francisco Giants fan, decorated Vietnam veteran, proud father and grandfather, and train aficionado.
Left to Right: Bob Stimmel with best friend and E-Team Member Tom Flanigan
When asked about his impact, Co-Interim CEO Ashley Hedemann shared, “Bob was my teacher, mentor, and father figure. He was one of the reasons I fell in love with the construction industry and with Habitat.”
Echoing Ashley’s sentiments, Volunteer Engagement Manager Sarah Pedelty recalled, “Bob also served as one of the Habitat dads on the construction site. Not only did I go to Bob with questions regarding electrical work, but to talk about life and seek his fatherly perspective.”
Construction Manager Rick O’Daniel also shared about Bob’s camaraderie and friendship, saying, “What sticks out most about Bob for me is he was the first person I had contact with 14 years ago when I started working with Habitat.” Bob welcomed him “into the fold,” introduced him to everyone, and helped him feel at home. Above all else, he remembers their friendship and how much he could count on him to “always be there.”
The lifelong friendships formed at Habitat can best be described by fellow Habitat volunteer Tom Flanigan, who is proud to call Bob his best friend. “I either talked to him or worked with him every Saturday for over 15 years. Bob was a fun guy to work with and a perfectionist,” Tom, laughing, explained. “We had a fun saying about Bob . . . we would tell new volunteers there was a wrong way, there was a right way, and then there was Bob’s way, because Bob’s way would always be a step above the ‘right’ way.”
As we begin construction on the next Habitat homes, words cannot describe the differences we will realize with Bob’s absence, but his extended family at Habitat for Humanity Greater Fresno Area is committed to remembering “Bob’s way” and his presence will transcend through them and their work. Sarah predicts, “Through Bob’s leadership, mentorship, and devotion to Habitat’s mission, he created a volunteer legacy that will live on forever.”
While Habitat Greater Fresno Area appreciates the hard work, compassion, and devotion of our volunteers year-round, Global Volunteer Month in April encourages us to focus on the thousands of people locally, and around the world, who are making a difference. Habitat kicked off National Volunteer Week (April 18–25) early with the Hearts and Hammers Annual Volunteer Celebration on Saturday, April 17th. Habitat staff and homeowners hosted a drive-thru carnival with fun games, Habitat-themed prizes, and tasty treats, as nearly 100 volunteers and guests participated from the comfort of their vehicle.
The unique event helped us put our mission of “bringing people together” into action by providing an entertaining and safe in-person celebration of the 277 families served through over 23,600 volunteer hours in the last fiscal year! Thank you, Habitat volunteers, for your continued support of building homes, communities, and hope in the Greater Fresno Area!
