COLUMBIA – MSgt Robert Sanders Hickman, US Army (Ret.), 70, of Columbia, died on Sunday, November 10, 2024. Born in Tokyo, Japan, on June 23, 1954, he was a son of the late George Robert Hickman and Keiko Hirama Hickman. MSgt Hickman served his country for 22 years in the military, retiring as a master Sargent. As an avid sportsman, he enjoyed fishing, hunting and the outdoors in general. He was a people person and well known in the Columbia Area. Following his military career, he worked for Richland County Recreation and the United States Post office in Elgin. He was an amazing husband, devoted to his family and will be remembered as a great friend.

Survivors include his wife, Gabyann Wethington Hickman; children, Robert S. Hickman, Jr. (Kira), Roberta Panepinto (Tom), and Jennifer Hickman Wallsmith (Jeff); grandchildren, Cameron Hickman, Blake Panepinto, MacKenzie Hickman and Jake Hickman; sisters, Carolyn Hickman (Terry) and Paulette Allred (Richard); as well as a host of nieces and nephews.

The service for MSgt Hickman will be held at 2 o'clock, Tuesday, November 19, at Shives Funeral Home, Trenholm Road Chapel, 7600 Trenholm Road Ext., Columbia. The family will receive friends prior to the service at the funeral home beginning at 1 o'clock. Burial will be held in Fort Jackson National Cemetery, 4170 Percival Road, Columbia.

Memorials may be made to Wounded Warriors Project. https://support.woundedwarriorproject.org/

Memories and condolences may be shared at ShivesFuneralHome.com.