St. Luke’s Elmore’s ‘Santa’ enjoying holidays thanks to surgeon’s help detecting cancer

Volunteering is a passion for Bob Sonnentag, but it really ramps up during the holiday season.

And earlier this year, the 82-year-old was faced with a scary thought — that perhaps he may never again be able to don a certain red velvet suit.

In March, the longtime St. Luke’s Elmore volunteer was diagnosed with prostate cancer, thanks to a keen-eyed doctor. Luckily, it was caught early enough for Sonnentag to return to normal, and again allowed to continue his tradition of warming the hearts of patients and team members as Santa Claus.

“We enjoy being around people, so it’s really wonderful to have more chances to see their smiles,” Sonnentag said. “And of course, it’s great to have more time with Mrs. Claus.”

Sonnentag and his wife, Sandy, have been fixtures at the Mountain Home hospital for nearly two decades.

A hard-working retail executive, Sonnentag had a goal — to be retired longer than he worked. After retiring early and living a health life, that’s exactly what he has done, having been retired 33 years —  two more years than he worked.

About 20 years ago, the Sonnentags decided to uproot from their Georgia home to Mountain Home, where their son lived after finishing his time in the Air Force.

“Helping people is just something we love — I volunteered in a mentor program in Georgia and with the state parks department — so it’s something we wanted to find when we moved here,” Sonnentag said. “We saw somewhere the hospital needed help, and we thought it would be perfect, and it’s something we’ve done ever since.”

Bob and Sandy helped direct after-hours patients and soon took on responsibilities helping in the Elmore emergency department, such as helping prep rooms, running samples to the lab and turning on the lights at the helipad, so nurses could spend time with patients.

“Anything you didn’t need a medical degree for, we’d do it … I was too busy volunteering to go to med school,” Bob said with a laugh.

Not long after they began volunteering at St. Luke’s, Bob had a suggestion. He had dressed as Santa — and Sandy as Mrs. Claus — back in Georgia and he still had a suit. Perhaps staff and patients might get a kick out of a visit from Santa?

Sure enough, it was a hit. And it’s continued annually, with Bob having a particular affinity for visiting those in the Long-Term Care unit. They also have expanded to visiting daycares, the sheriff’s department and more. Bob said he is now on his fourth Santa suit.

Due to health reasons, the pair no longer is able to volunteer each week, but still return for Christmas and the occasional drop-in visit.

“They were the first and the last ER Angel volunteers and are loved by all staff,” said Chrissy Hastings, St. Luke’s Elmore Foundation development coordinator. “They were always dependable and provided service with a smile. They became an integral part of the emergency room family every Wednesday night and provided training to new volunteers in the emergency room.”

And in turn, the Sonnentags have a deep appreciation for the Elmore team.

Bob was treated for non-Hodgkins lymphoma nearly three years ago, which was successfully treated. He’s been on top of his usual checkups, but during another routine one, something unexpected was found.

Regular colonoscopies have been part of Bob’s life, especially because his mother died of colon cancer. A difference in his most recent one, in March, is that he decided to see Dr. Karen Galvan, a general surgeon at St. Luke’s Elmore.

Dr. Galvan also checked Bob’s prostate during the procedure and noticed some nodules. After he woke up, Bob was told to see a urologist, who confirmed the diagnosis.

“Had she not found it … who knows,” Bob said. “I lost a lot of sleep the first cancer diagnosis, but this time, I’d already had those thoughts. Just had to do what I could to treat it.”

As for Sandy, she had her concerns, but was thankful the cancer was detected.

“Dr. Galvan, I owe her my life,” she said. “I admit, I was scared, but she was focused and made sure we took the right steps. Now, I’m excited for this Christmas.”

Bob estimates he had not had a prostate check since about 2000, though he routinely had his Prostate-Specific Antigen, or PSA, levels tested. According to the American Cancer Society, men and people who were assigned male at birth should have their first prostate exam by age 50 and PSA levels tested regularly.

“I wish I had a bigger pulpit, but if you are a man over 50 … find however you’re comfortable getting checked,” Bob said. “It can save your life.”