Bobby Joe Ormachea
Bobby Joe Ormachea, 55, died on July 5, 2023, at his home in Susanville, California.
Bobby was born July 15, 1967, in Susanville, California to Larry and Sandy Ormachea. He and his brother David grew up in Susanville, where he graduated from Lassen High School in 1985.
While at Lassen High, Bobby lettered in baseball and also played on the freshman football team that would go on to win the California North Section Championship in 1984. He was a good athlete and loved baseball. Bobby was a lifelong fan of the San Francisco Giants.
After earning a bachelor’s degree in education from California State University, Chico in 1989, Bobby moved to Willows, California, where he taught at a local high school. He later taught at Richmond School in Susanville, worked as a substitute teacher for the Susanville School District and taught in Valley Springs, California. He returned to Susanville in 1997, where he started his teaching career at High Desert State Prison (HDSP). While at HDSP, Bobby was recognized twice as “Employee of the Month” and was awarded “Teacher of the Quarter” in March 1999. He transferred to California Correctional Center in 2010, where he taught until the time of his retirement in September 2022.
Bobby married Jennifer Schmidt of Susanville on September 29, 2001 near Janesville, California and they remained together until 2020. Throughout their separation and divorce, they remained good friends and wanted the best for each other and their children.
Bobby and Jennifer had two beautiful children: a son, Miles, and a daughter, Olivia. Bobby loved and was very proud of his children, supporting them in all things academic and athletic as they were growing up. At the time of Bobby’s death, Miles was attending college in Phoenix, Arizona and Olivia had recently graduated from Lassen High School. He was especially proud of Miles’ mission trip to Kenya and his decision to attend Grand Canyon University, a private Christian university in Phoenix, Arizona. He marveled at Olivia’s inspired dancing skills and celebrated her crowning as Miss Lassen County in 2022.
Bobby was full of love and light and passionate about God and life. He had a heart of gold, truly loved people and was kind to everyone he met. Nothing lit up the room quite like a smile from “Bobby O”.
He loved the outdoors and truly was a “happy camper”. Bobby was someone you could go to for good advice on books, movies and music. He enjoyed all kinds of music, but especially classic rock, and he liked going to concerts and baseball games.
Bobby was at the center of a group of childhood friends that he stayed close to for the rest of his life. Bobby had strong friendships because he was fun to be around. One of those childhood friends said it best: “Bobby O was sunshine for the soul and always made you feel seen.”
He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Harold and Vernice Palmer, and Albert and Pillar Wagner.
He is survived by his parents, Larry and Sandy of Susanville; brother and sister-in-law David and Bobbie Ormachea and their sons, Weston, Brayden and Evan of Susanville; former wife Jennifer of Susanville; son and daughter-in-law Miles and Natalie; daughter Olivia; and numerous other aunts, uncles and cousins not listed.
A celebration of Bobby’s life will be held Saturday, July 15, at 1:00 p.m. at the Assembly of God Church,
473-465 Richmond Rd N, Susanville. Cards can be received at 699-431 Beverly Drive, Susanville, CA 96130.