Posted on 04/06/2026

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Robert Lee Gayler, age 84, of West Sacramento, CA, passed away on March 21, 2026. Born on July 21, 1941, in Tulare, California to Walter and Emma Gayler. Robert was a devoted husband, father, Uncle and volunteer to youth baseball. He graduated from Tulare High School and immediately attended St. Mary's College in Moraga, California. Upon graduating with a Bachelor's degree in Liberal Arts, Robert enlisted in the United States Army, where he was stationed in Vietnam as a Senior Radio Traffic Analyst. After serving his country for six years, he was honorably discharged and awarded two medals: Good Conduct Medal and the Army Commendation Medal. Upon entering civilian life, Robert started his career in sales, working for multiple companies, such as Max Factor, M&M Mars, and Hunt - Wesson Foods. During his tenure in the early 1970s at Hunt-Wesson, Robert was instrumental in initiating a program called Neighborhood Reps. The goal was to bring women in the sales force part time. Robert set up the guidelines that were later used by other companies for hiring women in the sales force. Robert and Geneva met during High School, where Geneva's brother and Robert played baseball together. In Spring of 1968, Geneva went to the market to get some groceries down the street in San Francisco. There they reconnected and were married in September of 1968. Geneva's son, Michael, was welcomed by Robert, as the three of them made their home in the Bay Area. Robert played baseball in both High School and College. His love for the game continued long after college into coaching youth baseball. He coached a youth travel ball team back before travel ball was as widely recognized as it is now. After his coaching days were behind him, Robert was still known for donating to Youth Baseball programs across the state. Robert is survived by his wife of 57 years, Geneva, his sister, Barbara Fairchild, his nephew, Gavin Fairchild, and his niece, Angelina Jacobson. He was preceded in death by his parents, Walter and Emma, and son, Michael.