Dr. Robert “Bob” Cibull
Dr. Robert (Bob) Cibull, a dedicated father, husband, optometrist, Korean War Veteran, and jazz music aficionado, passed away peacefully at Heritage House on September 5, 2025, the day after his 94th birthday. Born in Saint Louis Missouri in 1931, Bob lived a generous life marked by service, community and passion. Bob went to elementary school in Tucumcari, New Mexico and then moved briefly to Los Angeles prior to graduating high school in Oxnard, CA. Cal Berkeley was his next stop where he attended college to become an optometrist. Aside from his studies, he played trumpet for the school band and remained a Cal Bears fan and supporter for the rest of his life.
Bob’s career in optometry spanned more than 40 years of practice in Goleta and Santa Barbara. He was a compassionate physician known for dedicating a substantial amount of time to each patient. He sometimes bartered for services, ensuring everyone in the community could afford the care they needed. Conversation came naturally to Dr. Cibull. He was truly interested in his patient’s lives, remembering specific details and following up on them during subsequent visits.
Outside of his professional life, Robert found joy in family, music, volunteering and travel. He was married twice. First to Vickie (Snadow/Lacks) with whom he has three children- Jeff, Julie and Steven. They were married for 19 years and remained friends afterwards. Bob was an active father that attended many of his kid’s and grandkid’s activities including sports, theater, jazz band and Indian Guides. He is remembered for his creativity- for example, making a cardboard submarine that the neighborhood kids played in for weeks, and for puppet shows and fun games that he’d make up to play with his grandchildren. In 1988 Bob married Jan (Close) who he had dated a short time in college. They remained friends in their adult life and fell in love when they were both single again. The two were together in their Santa Barbara home and eventually at Heritage House assisted living until Jan’s death on November 1, 2020.
Bob surrounded himself with music. He played the trumpet all of his life, performing with various local bands, and he sang in a barbershop quartet (The Yipee-yi-yoyos), bringing energy and soul to every stage that he graced. He loved any live music and continued supporting it until his death.
Volunteering was important to Bob and he showed it. He helped those in need get glasses through the Lion’s Club, served as an ombudsman in Santa Barbara County to make sure that care was up to code in senior living facilities, and volunteered with his wife, Jan, at Transition House, raising money to provide emergency and transitional housing and support services for homeless families with children. In dedication to science, after death, Bob donated his body to USC to help future doctors.
Bob was preceded in death by his wife, Jan Cibull, his parents, Jack and Sara Cibull, Sister and brother in-law, Betty and Macky Sanders. Bob leaves behind his three kids, who all believe they were his favorite, Jeff Cibull (Liza) , Julie Fischer (Randy) and Steven Cibull (Marileen), his first wife Vickie Lacks, Grandkids Jack and Lindsey Fischer, Ryan and Jason Cibull, step-grandkids Michael, Jackie and Nathan Vidal, and three great grandchildren Mason Pangilinan, Alaya Cortes and AJ Vidal.
A celebration of life for both Bob and his late wife, Jan, will be held at a later date. Jan died during the Covid pandemic so we’d like to take this opportunity to honor and remember them both. If you are interested in attending, or would like to share a memory with their family, please email jcibull@hotmail.com.
In Bob’s memory donations can be made to Transition House of Santa Barbara or your local school’s music program.
