Bobby Sherman was a chart-topping musician in the 1960s and 70s. At the peak of his fame, he left the limelight to be a father. But he did not stop there; he became a paramedic and police officer. Bobby did not only help save lives but helped bring life into the world.
Bobby Sherman’s music career boomed in the 1960s. His record-breaking singles sold millions of copies, and his performances had young people’s hearts racing.
The singer became a brand; his musical talent and innocent face made him a ladies’ magnet. Bobby had his face everywhere—record covers, posters, teen magazines, and television. Before he knew it, he was a teen idol.
Bobby Sherman photographed in 1970 | Source: Getty Images
His stardom was almost as big as icons like Elvis Presley and The Beatles. During that time, television brought more success and fame than records; therefore, Bobby was at the peak of his teen idol status when he appeared on the comedy show “Here Come the Brides.”
This is not to say that Bobby’s record sales were not exponential. His sales grossed up to $20 million, but the entire “Bobby Industry” made a whopping $35 million.
Bobby Sherman performing in 1970 | Source: Getty Images
Money might have been coming in big amounts, but that also meant the singer’s schedule was just as packed. Bobby recalled filming five days a week.
He would take a plane to a random place on Fridays for drinks and a few evening shows on the weekend. Then he was back on the plane and in the studio in no time. “It was so hectic for three years I didn’t know what home was,” Bobby expressed.
Bobby Sherman on “Here Come the Brides” in 1968 | Source: Getty Images
But after welcoming his sons, Christopher and Tyler, he kept himself busy with another project. The singer wanted to create a themed park inspired by Main Street in Disneyland in his own backyard.
He got Disney to give him a set of plans, and the build took him two years and cost him about $15,000. One of the first people to see it was Walt Disney’s daughter, Diane Disney Miller, and she was convinced her father would have loved what Bobby created.
Bobby Sherman playing with a little girl on “The Bobby Sherman Special” in 1970 | Source: Getty Images
But someone who was not too impressed was the singer’s wife Patti since she had to live through the loud construction noises. At some point, Bobby said his wife threatened him to finish the project, or she would take matters into her hands.
On the contrary, fans praised the family man for being a multi-talented person who could build a theme park, play multiple musical instruments, and explore other careers.
Bobby Sherman performing at a live concert in 1998 | Source: Getty Images
Although Patti was annoyed about her husband’s project, she only had nice things to say about him when she was interviewed about what it was like to date a superstar.
The first time they met, Patti could not pinpoint where she recognized her spouse from. She thought he was the host of “Shindig,” but he wasn’t, then Bobby helped her remember by saying he was the guy that sang everyone else’s songs, and eventually, it rang a bell in her head.
The two met through friends who noticed Bobby was their next-door neighbor and decided to introduce themselves to the star. At first, the singer dated one of Patti’s friends, Diane, but gained more interest in Patti the more they talked.
Luckily, he had left a lasting impression on Patti. She confessed he was kind and sweet and definitely knew his way around women. Once they got to know each other, Bobby would pick her up from school and everyone would be shocked to see a music star drive in with a Rolls Royce.
Bobby Sherman photographed in 1963 | Source: Getty Images
Then the two would spend time at his parents’ house, where they would listen to his records. They liked to keep their dates simple. A memorable one was when they took a long drive together and ended up at the beach at night.
Bobby pretended to have lost his keys; after hours of digging into the sand, he found them in his pocket, and Patti found the whole ordeal funny. Interestingly, the couple’s first date was a double date with his parents.
Bobby Sherman photographed in 1970 | Source: Getty Images
Patti found the singer’s parents sweet and thought they got along well, but she was quiet most of the night. She was only 17, shy, and had not even graduated from high school. Even though she was nervous about leaving a good impression, Bobby impressed her parents from the moment he picked her up for their date.
Patti grew up to become an ambitious and goal-driven woman. She went to San Fernando Junior College and took multiple courses, with a knack for interior design and psychology. But when she was not studying hard, she loved making gourmet meals and dancing. She also studied ballet for six years.
From Record-Breaking Singer to Saving Lives
After the whirlwind of fame that Bobby experienced, he did not retire, but he slowly pulled back and built a studio in his garage where he recorded scores for films and television shows. However, the singer also immersed himself in fatherhood. His children inspired him to pursue a career in the medical field.
Bobby said it all started when his kids grew up and became more explorative, which usually led to a few scratched knees and nosebleeds. His wife was not a fan of blood, so the singer took care of the kids’ injuries.
Bobby Sherman in Los Angeles in 2003 | Source: Getty Images
Therefore, Bobby decided to take a first aid CPR class, which he loved. The next thing he knew, he found himself using his skills to help people who needed medical attention on the road.
Eventually, the celebrity got better training and graduated to become an emergency medical technician (EMT). He added more to his skills and earned himself another qualification as an emergency medical technician in defibrillation.
Bobby Sherman in California in 1994 | Source: Getty Images
This led to Bobby becoming a paramedic and a medical instructor for many years. His name landed at the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD), and he was invited to be part of the force’s training academy. By 1992, the star went from making hits to becoming a sworn police officer.
He climbed the LAPD ladder and got promoted to chief training officer. Bobby expressed how much joy it brought him to be given the opportunity to teach officers how to attend to wounds. It was a fulfilling job, so the singer always used his platform to encourage people to do CPR training.
Bobby Sherman in California in 1989 | Source: Getty Images
Bobby has not only saved lives, but he has also brought life into the world. In fact, the singer has helped deliver five babies while on the field. He had one special case where the woman had no prenatal care and did not know when she was due for delivery.
That time came on the sidewalk, but luckily, the woman’s husband saw Bobby’s car and waved. The spouse explained that it was his first time seeing a woman go into labor, but Bobby helped deliver a healthy baby girl.
Bobby Sherman in Los Angeles in 2003 | Source: Getty Images
The moment was so special that the family decided to name the baby Roberta, which connects to Bobby’s first name, Robert. The singer joked that he was glad they didn’t name her Bobby.
When he made rounds as a paramedic, he still had people notice him, and he gave out autographs. One time, he remembered attending to a woman who needed her excessive bleeding to be stopped.
He noticed that the patient’s husband could not stop looking at him until the said spouse said, “Look, honey, it’s Bobby Sherman!” His wife, who had just gained her consciousness, said, “Oh great, I must look a mess.” But the Hollywood star told her she looked just fine.
Bobby Sherman in his paramedic outfit in 1992 | Source: Getty Images
Bobby could not have been more proud of finding a passion in health care. “I carry equipment with me. And there’s not a better feeling than the one you get from helping somebody out. I would recommend it to everybody,” he said.
As much as he was dedicated to helping people, it was also important to him to be a good father and live close to his children. Bobby and Patti’s marriage ended after seven years. The singer’s ex-wife went on to marry David Soul, who played Bobby’s brother on “Here Come the Brides.”
Bobby Sherman in California in 2015 | Source: Getty Images
Soul and Patti separated after he admitted to physically and emotionally abusing his wife. However, the beginning of their marriage flooded the media headlines. Bobby, who found himself in the middle of the scoop, lived in Encino, Los Angeles, close enough for his boys to visit every weekend.
While Christopher and Tyler’s parents were the main topics in the papers, Bobby said his kids weren’t concerned about them but rather the new upcoming stars of their era like Depeche Mode.
Bobby Sherman in Los Angeles in 1998 | Source: Getty Images
However, the singer also saw his children gravitating towards watching reruns of his old show and confessed it was scary. Bobby was more petrified of the idea of going back to the peak of his fame because he believed he would not have the strength to handle it.
Nonetheless, his children are now two grown men who have followed in their father’s musical footsteps. Christopher and Tyler are both part of a band called “Whatever.” Bobby and Patti also grew to become best friends. He even said they became better parents after their divorce.
Bobby Sherman and his wife Brigitte in California in 2015 | Source: Getty Images
Bobby married his second wife, Brigitte, in 2011. The same year the couple wed, they started a foundation called Brigitte and Bobby Bobby’s Children Foundation, which is based in Ghana and helps combine education and music.
Bobby Is 79 and Still Looks Fantastic
Meanwhile, long-time fans of Bobby still get to keep up with the singer on his foundation page. For Valentine’s Day, the Brigitte and Bobby Sherman Children’s Foundation shared a picture of Bobby and his wife.
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Fans still remember the impact that the performer had on their lives. One of them said he was their first crush and the first concert they attended.
Others found Brigitte a lucky woman who married one of the most handsome men. Even at 79 then, long-time fans of Bobby still find him very attractive.
With each picture of him posted, fans could not help but look back at the time he dominated the music charts. So, each comment from someone who was a fan of his from childhood was filled with excitement.
One Instagram user even thought they could still live out their Bobby fantasy. “Omg, it’s Bobby Sherman! I loved you so much when I was a kid. You look absolutely fantastic. Thank goodness I do too!! LOL,” the user gushed.
Many fans are happy to see their old-time favorite musician still looking sexy and handsome. Fans even encouraged the singer to continue doing his commendable work for society and being good-looking.
On Father’s Day in June 2024, the foundation paid a special tribute to Bobby on Instagram, alongside a photo of him beaming in a gray blazer. The message read, “Happy Father’s Day to Bobby Sherman and to all the incredible dads and father figures who light up our children’s lives with love, strength, and unwavering support.”
Fans commented on the post with one writing, “Still my first crush.” Another said, “You’re looking fantastic. And I think you can sing any type of song rather old or new songs. You’re my favorite singer.”
Bobby Sherman, who turns 81 on July 22, 2024, has lived a multi-dimensional life. He became a record-breaking musician, a police officer, and a professional paramedic, all while being a doting father. He has left an impact on every career he explored.