Bobby Joe Hergesheimer

Bobby Joe Hergesheimer was born on May 13, 1953 in Burlington, Colorado to Bonnie and James Hergesheimer. He grew up as an only child during his younger years but discovered as an adolescent that he was actually the youngest of 12 children. He eventually learned that he had 6 brothers; Tom, Elbert, Lloyd, Carl, Jim, & Larry, and 5 sisters; Florence, Ila, Bonnie, Daisy, & Mary. He was thrilled when he started being introduced to his siblings one by one and enjoyed getting to know them and build relationships with them. He was raised by his single mother Bonnie and later had step father Bart Barton in his life. He and his mother moved around a lot but eventually settled in Porterville, California where he remained. He attended a number of schools including Rockford Elementary, Pioneer, and Bartlett Intermediate. He then went on to attend and graduate from Monache High School in 1972. This is where he met and fell in love with Venus Herrod during his sophomore year. The two dated and eventually wed on September 12, 1973. During this union they welcomed their son Aaron Joseph in 1974, and daughter Cynthia Dawn in 1976. He was a very loving and dedicated husband and father. He also stepped in to become a father figure to 5 nieces and nephews; Maclovia, Juan, Francis, Ray, and Chevella during different times of their lives. Beginning in 2007, he and Venus raised their great niece Zoe Flores as their own.
Bob was a very hard worker who always did whatever he needed to in order to provide for his family. He worked a range of different jobs including owning and running his own donut shops. The first of which, he cofounded along with his two brothers Carl and Jim, still remains, though under different ownership, as Hergesheimer's Donut Factory on Henderson in its original spot. He worked at the Fireside Inn and also did landscaping work just out of high school. He was employed at Beckman, and much later at Save Mart where he retired from after 26 years of running their bakery and deli departments. In between he worked other jobs such as driving truck, one which sprayed water, and another delivering ice. He had also opened and ran other donut shops in and around the surrounding area, such as Dine O Mite Donuts, and one which he named Sno-Nuts, where he sold refreshing shaved ice along with his decadent donuts. He was an entrepreneur at heart and loved working with, and servicing his community.
Bob gave back to his community in many ways. From coaching baseball and flag football, to assisting with any and all activities and/or organizations his kids were involved with, to heading up fund raisers like a couple he did for the Monache Band where he had classic Mustangs restored by businesses in the area to be raffled off at the football games. The cars were gorgeous and the fundraising wildly successful.
Bob was a friend to all and was very giving especially of his time. He was wonderfully witty and loved to make people laugh. He enjoyed spending time with his family and friends, traveling especially to the central coast or nearby mountain ranges, camping, playing poker, attending concerts and Nascar races, and of course watching football especially his Denver Broncos.
He went to be with the Lord on the 21st of May 2020 after battling some health issues including fighting hard to recover from a stroke which had left him paralyzed. He is greatly missed and is survived by his wife of nearly 50 years, Venus Hergesheimer, son Aaron Hergesheimer, daughter Cynthia Hergesheimer-Olsen, & daughter Zoe Flores; 6 Grandchildren - Anthony Hergesheimer, Brittany Hergesheimer, Elizabeth Hergesheimer, Bo Olsen, Jayden Olsen, & Lillianna Olsen; 4 Great Grandchildren -Lavena, Payzlie, Grayson, & Wayne; Sisters- Mary Hassig, & Daisy Wiley; Brothers-Tom, & Carl Hergesheimer
Due to the restrictions over Covid-19 as well as efforts to try and keep at risk family members safe, Bob’s funeral had to be postponed. In lieu of it, a Celebration of Life in his honor will be held on May 21, 2022, which will be the 2-year anniversary of his passing. All who would like to be a part of the remembrance of this great man are welcome. Please contact Cynthia Olsen at 559-273-8610 for details if you would like to attend.