Roberta Lee "Bobby" Troske

Roberta Lee "Bobby" Troske was born in Woodbury, NJ, to Roberta and William Zaun. She passed peacefully at home in Bellevue, WA, surrounded by family. She’s survived by her husband of 64 years, Frank Troske, brother William Zaun II (Sylvia); children Ken (Su), Elise (Lloyd), Sara, Mary Kay (Randy), and Jennifer; ten cherished grandchildren Will, Abby, Madeline, Nathan, Katherine, James, Sophia, Dolan, Lucy, Cassidy plus numerous nieces and nephews.

Growing up in Riverton, New Jersey, Bobby learned to sail and swim at the Riverton Yacht Club, directly across the Delaware River from Philadelphia. Family summers were spent at the Jersey Shore on Long Beach Island, swimming in the Atlantic Ocean. She honed her skills lifeguarding and teaching swimming at Camp Ockanickon in Medford, NJ. Raised Presbyterian, Bobby converted to Catholicism before marriage and later joined the Episcopalian church and was active in all three faith communities. Bobby attended Guilford College then graduated in Occupational Therapy from the University of Iowa. There she met Frank, a Physical Therapy student, in anatomy class while they dissected the same cadaver. They named it "Ernest" since they worked "in dead earnest." Her inquisitive nature, calm demeanor, sharp memory and quick sense of humor were just some traits of her vibrant personality, and they remained until her final days.

After working as an Occupational Therapist, Bobby retired to raise five children, filling many roles, House Manager, PTA Member, Den Mother, Soccer Mom, Seamstress, Cook, Carpool Warrior, and more. When the last one started school, she returned to professional work, combining her skills in swimming and Occupational Therapy to establish Samena Health Club’s first adaptive aquatics program. Her students loved her, and many stayed in touch long after she retired. She also excelled as a home healthcare specialist, medical transcriptionist, and office manager.

Family, friends, music, and books were cornerstones of Bobby's life. Family was her anchor, and she delighted in hosting large gatherings, maintaining close connections and actively participating in her children and grandchildren’s lives. She attended every Troske Reunion until her health declined and traveled to visit her cousins Gail, Page, and Delmar and her brother Bill whenever possible.

Bobby’s friendships spanned decades and geography, forming lasting bonds through travel, food, and music. Lifelong friends included group of mothers from her Lake Hills neighborhood known as "The Golden Girls." She and Frank formed a Gourmet Club, sharing countless meals and world travel with them for over 30 years. She stayed in touch with friends, relatives and neighbors even after they moved away, exchanging phone calls, greeting cards, and emails until her last weeks. She cared deeply for her children's and grandchildren's friends and always remembered the details of their lives.

Music was vital to Bobby. She studied piano as a child, played bass drums in the Moorestown HS marching band, and continued to play piano and sing throughout her life. She accompanied church groups and sang in numerous chorale ensembles, including Rainier Chorale and Eastside Master Chorus, performing at prestigious venues like Benaroya Hall and Carnegie Hall, and at significant events such as the Goodwill Games and Jamestown Quadricentennial.

Books and reading were equally significant to Bobby. As a volunteer reading coach at Lake Hills and Bennett Elementary Schools, she inspired countless young readers. She was rarely without a book in hand and a stack of titles waiting at the library. She filled her home with plants and was always happy to visit a nursery or botanical garden. She loved animals and almost always had a cat or dog at home. This affection was passed down to her children and grandchildren and she took pride in her many grand pets.

In honor of Bobby's legacy, remembrances may be made to the King County Library System Foundation or the Seattle Humane Society.