Robert Allen Poppleton

Robert “Bob” Allen Poppleton, 73, of Carlsbad, California, was truly one of a kind. “I’m old, I’ve lived my life,” delivered in the most dramatic way imaginable, was one of his favorite lines from his beloved role as Crazy Old Maurice in Beauty and the Beast. And live his life he did, fully and joyfully.

Bob had a sudden and unforeseen heart attack while hiking at the beach, a place he loved. In his backpack that day was a small snapshot of who he was: a frisbee, a towel, a shell, the script for his next role, and the book The Mission of Jesus Christ the Messiah by E. Keith Howick. He passed away peacefully on December 9, 2025, in La Jolla, California, surrounded by love, family, and singing.

The dear, wonderful, quirky, brilliant, one-in-a-million Bob was born on July 10, 1952, in Sacramento, California, to Russell and Anna Poppleton. He grew up in Carmichael, California, served a two-year mission for his church in London, England, studied accounting, earned his CPA license, and became a modern-day Robin Hood, taking from the rich (the government) and giving back to the poor (the rest of us). Early in his career, he moved to San Diego to play more beach volleyball, a move that changed his life forever. There, he met the love of his life, Jennifer Jones. They were married in the Oakland California Temple on June 11, 1982, beginning a beautiful life of adventure, laughter, faith, and love. Together, they had five children and fourteen grandchildren, all of whom Bob loved and adored with his whole heart.

Bob was a faithful member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and his testimony of Jesus Christ guided every part of his life. Next to his devotion to his family and his Savior, his greatest passion was family history. He loved discovering stories, connections, and ancestors, not only for his own family, but for anyone he met. He helped countless people make meaningful connections and uncover information they had been searching for, sometimes for years. Whenever one of his children began dating someone new, Bob inevitably found himself researching their family history, believing it was never too early to understand where someone came from. He found deep joy in learning about those who came before and often spoke with excitement about the many people on the other side he looked forward to meeting.

Acting and singing alongside his wife, children, and grandchildren was another great love of Bob’s life. His favorite roles included Fagin in Oliver!, Crazy Old Maurice in Beauty and the Beast, and Ebenezer Scrooge in A Christmas Carol, among many others. Whether on stage or in everyday life, Bob was always putting on a show. He loved telling animated stories to strangers just to see if they would believe him. Even during tax season, he brought joy wherever he went, sometimes breaking into song in the middle of a meeting with a client. There was truly never a dull moment when Bob was around.

Beach volleyball was a favorite, and he especially loved teaching his children and grandchildren how to play. He enjoyed many sports, including baseball, basketball, tennis, golf, and frisbee, and was always inventing games to keep children entertained. Time outdoors brought him joy, whether riding his bike, swimming in the ocean, hiking, or collecting shells and rocks along the beach. He and his family traveled the world to explore their family history, experience other cultures, and create meaningful memories. He also delighted in life’s simple pleasures, like a good trip to Ross on Tuesdays, when shoppers 55 and older receive a 10 percent discount.

Bob was endlessly loving, goofy, hilarious, enthusiastic, animated, jolly, generous, and kind. He had a deep love for life and found humor in nearly everything. He could talk for hours, and everyone, even the shyest people, felt at ease with him. Many who mourn his passing have said, “He was like a dad to me,” “He was like a brother to me,” or “He was my best friend.” He had a rare gift for making people feel uniquely special, and somehow, he always made time for everyone.

Above all, Bob cherished any activity that allowed him to be with his family, especially his beloved wife, Jenny. Bob and Jenny traveled all over the world together, embracing adventure and creating memories side by side. They also served together as Living History missionaries, preserving the history of the Mormon Battalion in California. He loved everything about Jenny and experiencing life with her. In one of his last journal entries, he wrote “Family is truly everything. The beautiful gift from God of a companion like Jenny is cause once more to pen the immortal words of John Jacques, ‘Marriage is a wonderful thing, the wonder of wonders. It is a veritable garden of delights, of felicities unspeakable, a perennial fountain of the most exquisite sweetness, happiness, pleasures imaginable, a land of enchantment.’ I am never happier than when I make you happy. Assisting you to fulfil your royal destiny, according to the original intent and heavenly design. I look forward with great anticipation to an eternity with you. I love you.”

Bob’s life was a testimony of love in action, in laughter, and in faith. His legacy lives on in the countless hearts he touched, the stories he preserved, the joy he spread, and the family he loved so completely.

He is survived by his wife, Jenny Poppleton; his five children, Wendy Pendergrass, Brian Poppleton, Lani Sabin, Sierra Poppleton, and Heidi Anderson; and his sons- and daughter-in-law, Dave Pendergrass, Lexie Poppleton, Erik Sabin, and Alex Anderson; and thirteen of his grandchildren: Lucy Pendergrass, Levi Pendergrass, Hugh Pendergrass, Aaron Pendergrass, Kai Poppleton, Rivers Poppleton, Archie Poppleton, Dylan Poppleton, Teddy Poppleton, June Sabin, Jenna Sabin, Anna B Anderson, and Jubi Anderson. He is also survived by his siblings, Allen Poppleton, Joe Poppleton, Dale Poppleton, Lorraine Cherry, and John Poppleton.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Russell and Anna Poppleton; his sister, Ruth Winkler; and his granddaughter, Lani Jr. Sabin.

He will be buried in the Wellsville Cemetery, where his parents and many of his ancestors are laid to rest. A service to celebrate and remember Bob will be held on January 17, 2026, in Carlsbad, California. See below for details.

Service Details

• Date: Saturday, January 17, 2026• Time: Service 11am–12pm | Lunch and Open Memory/Story Sharing 12-2pm• Location: LDS Church Chapel | 3450 Camino De Los Coches, Carlsbad, CA 92009• RSVP: Please RSVP using this link: RSVP for Bob Poppleton’s Memorial Service• Zoom: If you’re unable to attend in person, please join us virtually using the following Zoom link: https://zoom.us/j/97558950107

Memories and condolences may be shared and expressed at www.allenmortuaries.com.