Robert (Bob) Alan Sallach was born September 10, 1930 to Oscar and Ruth Sallach in Sterling, CO. His family moved to California a few years later.

Bob graduated high school, attended Compton Junior College, and graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry from the University of California at Los Angeles on June 19, 1952. Later that same day he married his high school sweetheart, Shirley Rehfeld. For the next four  years he worked as a chemist and then decided to return to school at Iowa State University for a Doctor of Philosophy in chemistry. He graduated in 1963 and the family moved to Albuquerque where Bob worked as a research chemist for Sandia Laboratories. He also owned and managed several laundries and rental properties for a number of years. He retired in 1986 and helped Shirley with her Starfire Day Camp, located in the mountains south of Tijeras. He enjoyed woodworking, gardening, and square dancing and was a long-time active member in the Civitan Club. Eventually Bob and Shirley spent the winters in Las Cruces and the summers at the mountain camp, continuing to enjoy their hobbies, plays and musical events, and volunteer activities such as delivering Meals on Wheels. Bob and Shirley celebrated 70 years of marriage on June 19, 2022. Unfortunately Shirley died in October, 2022 and Bob moved to Casitas Senior Living later that month. Bob died peacefully on March 3, 2023.

He is survived by their children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, and great-great grandchildren.