Robert J. (Bob) McGarvey, Rancho Cordova Founding Father

Robert J. (Bob) McGarvey started a committee in favor of Rancho Cordova incorporating as a city in 1986 and chaired the committee until Rancho Cordova voted for cityhood in November 2002, as well as served on two other incorporation committees. He was one of five community leaders elected to be the first Council Members and served on the City Council for 18 years.

Bob has been a steadfast leader in many community, church, and school organizations and activities. He was named Rancho Cordova Man of the Year by The Grapevine Independent Newspaper in 1987. Robert J. McGarvey Elementary School was named after him in 2016. He was named Rancho Cordovan of the Year in 2022 by the Cordova Community Council. Bob is currently a member of the Folsom Lake College Philanthropy Board, Folsom Lake College Veterans Committee, Sacramento-Yolo Mosquito & Vector Control Board, Rancho Cordova Food Locker Board, and Rancho Cordova Chamber of Commerce. He also has been an active member of the Mather Restoration Advisory Board since 1994 and the Cordova Community Council since 1975.

During his tenure on the City Council, Bob formed a Sister City Citizens Committee that resulted in Turrialba, Costa Rica becoming a Sister City with Rancho Cordova. He started the annual Rancho Cordova Veterans Day and Memorial Day celebrations. Bob also worked for 11 years to open Mather Veterans Village, the first permanent supportive housing development for homeless and disabled veterans in the Sacramento region.

Bob retired from PacBell after 33 years working in the central offices and network operation center. Even in his retirement, he serves his community as a substitute teacher. He served in the Air Force from 1961 to 1967, the last 2 ½ years of active duty was serving at Mather Air Force Base, and the last two years were in the reserves.

Bob received an Associate Degree from Sacramento City College and a Bachelor's Degree in Government from California State University, Sacramento.