Robert James Sagdahl

Bob was born in Ballard, Washington, on July 17, 1925, one of three children. He deeply loved his parents, Arne Sagdahl and Marie Enos, and his two sisters, June Blomgren and Mary Skartvedt. He enjoyed riding his bicycle all over town and especially through Woodland Park. One of his fond memories was a time he had his younger sister, Mary, on the back of his bicycle and she was encouraging him “you can do it, Bobby!” as he rode up a steep hill. His family and extended family spent many weekends together out at Hood Canal beachcombing, fishing, and telling stories.

During the Great Depression, Bob’s father owned and operated a shoe-repair shop at Fourth Avenue and Pike in Seattle. Times became tough and people could not afford shoes let alone to have their shoes repaired. Bob and his father would spend time together in the evenings repairing shoes in the basement of the family home at no charge. They were one of the few homes in their neighborhood that managed to keep up with their electricity and water bills. Often, they would run extension cords and hoses to their neighbor’s homes to help those who were not as fortunate.

After the bombing of Pearl Harbor and the declaration of war on the United States, both Bob and his father worked at the shipyards in support of the war effort. While attending Ballard High School, Bob decided to graduate early and enlisted in the U.S. Navy on March 21, 1944. He honorably served his country in the Pacific during World War II as an Electrician’s Mate 3rd Class aboard the USS Sevier. He was honorably discharged on June 29, 1946. Bob spoke fondly of his service and always said if asked he would do it all over again.

Bob had dreams of studying to be a doctor, specifically a brain surgeon. Although life took him in a different direction, his fascination with the human body never fizzled. He was an avid reader and would always refer to conditions and diseases by their proper medical definitions. This fascination was so intense that later in life when diagnosed with coronary artery disease and requiring a triple bypass, he asked his surgeon if it would be possible to remain awake and watch the procedure! He was later diagnosed with prostate cancer and watched on a TV screen while a surgeon implanted 110 radioactive seeds!

On March 10, 1948, Bob started his 38-year career with Pacific Northwest Bell (PNB) as a Maintenance Technician working on telephone control equipment in the east and downtown offices of Seattle. It was at PNB where Bob met his wife Mae in 1952. Their first date was an employee dance at the Olympic Hotel in Seattle. They fell deeply in love, purchased their engagement rings together, and were married on July 17, 1954. They spent their honeymoon traveling and staying at fishing resorts around the Olympic Peninsula.

Bob and Mae first lived in the Blue Ridge area for six years with their children, Bonnie, Billee, and Rick; then, they moved to Hood Canal for four years. While living on the canal, Dad enjoyed taking the kids out on his long, green, wood boat to go fishing. He would race out on the water to see how many fish they could catch before Bonnie and Billee would get motion sickness. Bob was a meticulous craftsman and enjoyed making the family home special. He had the opportunity to put his mark on both homes through beautiful carpentry and finishing work.

Rick eloquently wrote in memory of Dad:

"One More Time"

It’s hard to lose someone, especially when they’re such a large part of your life.

You always believe they’ll be there.

As you grow up they’re protector, provider, disciplinarian when needed, role model and Dad.

As you grow up it seems like protector and provider are important, but time is the most important thing.

The times when you’re camping and fishing and sitting there listening to the stories.

They’re always there at school events, sports, the dinner table, and when you need a hug.

Discipline is necessary but only occasionally.

Seeing disappointment in their eyes is enough.

Respect is enough.

When you love and respect a parent with all your heart you know you’ve been lucky.

What I wouldn’t give to hear I love you, I’m proud of you one more time.

After returning to Seattle, in 1971 they had their fourth child, Kimberly. Growing up, Kimberly remembers how Dad worked during the day and Mom worked nights. Dad would take her every week to visit Nana and her aunts and uncles. There was also the occasional trip to Sears to look at “nuts and bolts”. “No matter what we were doing; visiting family, watching the Muppet Show, or camping and fishing, it was the time Dad spent with us that was so special.”

On March 12, 1986, Bob retired from PNB. In the early 2000s, Bob and Mae built their retirement home on their property at Riffe Lake. In true fashion, he put in the beautiful kitchen cabinetry, granite and tile work throughout the home, and did all of the finishing work. He spent summers surrounded by his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. His grandson Rob recalls how Grandpa would always tell us when it comes to safety, do as I say not as I do, as he would pour gasoline over the bonfire in front of everyone! In addition to spending time with his family, Bob loved to work in the yard making improvements and gardening, fishing, listening to music, and reading.

After battling congestive heart failure for several years, Bob passed away September 14, 2019, at the age of 94. He is preceded in death by his parents, Arne and Marie; his loving wife of 58 years, Mae; sister, June Blomgren; sister, Mary Skartvedt; and grandson, Kevin Clemens.

Bob is survived by his sister-in-law, Louise Guest of Everett; his children, Bonnie (Bruce) Lansing of Prosser, Billee Rhue of Federal Way, Rick (Lorraine) Sagdahl of Edmonds, and Kimberly (Paul) Schulz of Tacoma; his grandson, Scott (Michelle) Clemens of Kennewick; his granddaughter, Kelly (Stan) Weinstein of Canonsburg, Pennsylvania; his grandson, Robert (Melissa) Anderson of Boise, Idaho; his grandson, Benjamin Anderson of Vancouver, BC; his grandson, Christopher Sagdahl of Edmonds; his grandson, Jonathan Sagdahl of Edmonds; his granddaughter, Alisa Sagdahl of Honolulu, Hawaii; his great-grandson, Scott (Mandy) Clemens Jr. of Richland; his great-grandson, Dallas Clemens of Kennewick; his great-granddaughter, Kaelynn Weinstein of Canonsburg, Pennsylvania; his great-grandson, Jackson Weinstein of Canonsburg, Pennsylvania; his great-grandson, Ardin Anderson of Boise, Idaho; his great-grandson, Tristan Anderson of Boise, Idaho; his great-grandson, Tanner Weinstein of Canonsburg, Pennsylvania; his great-granddaughter, Paetynn Weinstein of Canonsburg, Pennsylvania; his great-great-granddaughter Emma Clemens of Richland; his great-great-grandson Wyatt Clemens of Richland; and numerous loving cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends.

The family suggests memorial contributions be sent to:

American Heart Association P.O. Box 742030, Los Angeles, CA 90074-2030 www.heart.org