Seen the wooden chair in Fresno that’s tall as a house? It’s part of a teary love story

Uniquely is a Fresno Bee series that covers the moments, landmarks and personalities that define what makes living in the Fresno area so special.

Real-life giants live inside the Fresno home.

So goes one story Robert Sandoval has heard adults tell children as they walk by and notice the oversized wooden chair in his yard.

“My wife would be laughing big time,” Sandoval said. “It makes me smile.”

Those passing along Shields Avenue just west of the Palm intersection have been curious about the massive wooden chair that’s almost as tall as the house.

The story behind this prominent wooden throne, however, isn’t exactly a happy one.

But it is a love story.

Almost 10 years ago, Sandoval lost his wife Mary Ann Sandoval in a high-profile car crash.

The couple was driving back from a veterinarian office when a man who was attempting to flee from law enforcement crashed into the their vehicle.

Mary Ann Sandoval died. She was 55 years old.

Robert Sandoval sustained major injuries.

“Think of her all the time,” he said.

To celebrate his wife’s memory, Sandoval took a hobby that he loves and built a memento for the love of his life.

Sandoval admits he’s not a professional carpenter — he’s a certified nursing assistant — but he’s always enjoyed putting together wooden projects.

Like the two-story playhouse that Sandoval built for their children back at the couple’s home in Reedley.

Mary Ann enjoyed sitting on normal-sized winery chairs and often praised Sandoval for his chair craftsmanship, so the devoted and grieving husband decided to make an over-sized winery chair in his wife’s honor.

He made it 12-feet tall and about 8-feet wide, by his own hand and without help.

That was three years ago.

Sandoval made sure Mary Ann’s name was displayed in the front.

“Beats going to the cemetery and staring at a slab of concrete,” he said.

For birthdays, anniversaries and other special occasions, Sandoval said he often goes outside in his front yard and has a conversation with his wife.

He shares how his day is going, how life is changing, how much he misses her.

Maybe his mind will drift back to some past memory of their 20 years together.

“It’s always positive feelings when I see the chair,” he said.

On some nights, Sandoval turns on the lights that he installed on the chair.

He might also turn on the two bubble machines nearby to make it seem like it’s snowing.

A little something to make him or maybe a stranger smile.

Sandoval, an Army veteran, also envisions some of his late veterans sitting on the large chair together.

“Celebrating and drinking wine,” he said.

Sandoval said he enjoys seeing random people come up and sit on the oversized chair or take photos with it.

The large, wooden chair might not be a Fresno landmark.

But to Sandoval, it’s certainly a family keepsake.

“You know, she’s gone, but not so far gone,” he said. “Seeing others having a little fun, that keeps her legacy going.”

This story was originally published October 17, 2024, 6:30 AM.