Robert Michael McCoy

Robert Michael McCoy, known as Bobby growing up, and later going by Bob, was born in San Diego, California. Bob entered eternal life at age 63 at his home in Elk Grove surrounded by family after a brave fifteen-month battle with glioblastoma on June 14, 2026.

Bob grew up in Oceanside, California with two older brothers, two older sisters, and two younger sisters. His family moved to the Marine Corps Base in Hawaii for one year when he was two years old. Bob was an altar server at St. Francis in Vista and a youth leader at St. Margaret in Oceanside. Always dependable and hardworking, as a teenager, he had a newspaper route, worked at a gas station, and worked as a dishwasher and busboy. Bob graduated from Vista High School in 1980. After high school, he was employed at a local grocery store where he was quickly promoted to floor manager. At age 19, Bob spent several weeks touring the southern states. At age 21, he enlisted in the U.S. Army and served for four years as a tank mechanic and driver with an Honorable Discharge. While stationed in Germany, Bob traveled to France, Italy, and Israel. After Active Duty, he continued with the U.S. Army Reserve until 1990 with the rank of Staff Sergeant. Bob attended Mira Costa College, CSU San Marcos, and Sacramento State University where he earned his Bachelor’s in Social Science. To put himself through college, he held many jobs, including security guard, shuttle bus driver, and residential counselor at the Sacramento Children’s Home. During college, Bob attended a semester-at-sea in Spain and traveled to Portugal. He was passionate about the outdoors, hiking, and camping. Bob had a knack for repairing old cars and chose the scenic route for his many road trips to the desert, mountains, and coast. In 1994, he began his teaching career. During his third year of teaching, Bob received a Fulbright scholarship and traveled to Tanzania for 5 weeks as well as Amsterdam in the summer of 1997.

In 1998, he met the love of his life. Bob and Mary Chiguina Groves were married at St. Paul Catholic Church in Sacramento in the summer of 1999. He was an amazing, supportive stepfather to Nicholas. Together, they had adventurous road trips throughout California and to Nevada, Arizona, Oregon, Washington, Canada, and Mexico. Bob became an active parishioner at St. Paul, then St. Maria Goretti, and followed by St. Francis of Assisi. He participated in the three year Lay Mission Project with the Diocese of Sacramento. Bob was active with the Knights of Columbus and served as the Charter Member Grand Knight at St. Maria Goretti. He chaired the fireworks booth at St. Paul and coordinated work trips to Camp Pendola. Bob frequently traveled to attend workshops and conferences related to teaching U.S. History. He was involved in We The People, Project Citizen, and Center for Civic Education. Mr. McCoy was known as a mentor, advisor, and coach to his students. He chaperoned numerous trips, including the annual Washington, D.C. trip. Bob was constantly busy and enjoyed gardening, carpentry, home maintenance projects, taking classes, working on his cars, driving his Jeep Wrangler, playing his ukulele, walks, golf, kayaking, visiting historic sites, supporting cultural and community events, and volunteering. He loved his dogs, visits to his hometown of Oceanside, being called Granddad, family visits in Hawaii and Maryland, spending time with friends, and exploring new places. Later in life, Bob became an avid reader and enjoyed Dutch oven cooking. In 2024, he retired after 30 years of teaching. Mr. McCoy primarily taught U.S. History and World History. He was a teacher at Florin High School, Galt High School, Riverview School in Rio Vista, Sheldon High School, T.R. Smedberg Middle School, and Joseph Kerr Middle School.

Bob is preceded in death by his father Charles “Mack” McCoy and his brother William “Bill” McCoy. He is survived by his wife Mary, stepson Nicholas (Tiana), two beautiful grandchildren, his mother Rose McCoy, siblings Cris McCoy, Lu MacDonald, Tom McCoy, Lori McCoy, Cindy McCoy, numerous nieces, nephews, grandnephews, grandnieces, godchildren, cousins, and in-laws. Always giving of himself, Bob’s life was an inspiration to many, and he will be dearly missed.

A Viewing, Vigil, and Rosary will be held on July 13, 2026, from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., at St. Mary Cemetery & Funeral Center. On July 14, 2026, there will be a Visitation at 9:00 a.m. at St. Francis of Assisi in Sacramento followed by the Funeral Mass at 10:00 a.m. The Honor Guard presentation will take place at 11:30 a.m. at St. Mary Cemetery & Funeral Center followed by a light reception from 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.

“Remember that when you leave this earth, you can take with you nothing that you have received, only what you have given: a full heart, enriched by honest service, love, sacrifice and courage.”  St. Francis of Assisi