Robert Lee Sommer, Sr.

Robert Lee Sommer, 72 of Bremerton, Washington, passed peacefully into eternity on Sunday, May 17, 2015 to be reunited with his eternal companion Pamela LeRae Tuttle Sommer who preceded him less than 2 years ago in July of 2013 after 52 years of marriage.

He was born on December 1, 1942 in Chester, Pennsylvania to Harry and Margaret (Hall) Sommer, the 6th of 6 children.

Bob joined the US Navy at age 17, to enter the Vietnam War. He spent many months in Vietnam earning 3 bronze campaign stars. Bob retired as a Chief Petty Officer in 1979. His duty stations also included Santa Monica and San Diego, California; Meridian, Mississippi; Rota, Spain; Jackson, Tennessee; Bremerton, Washington; Charleston, SC; Corpus Christi, TX. In 1980, after his Navy retirement he moved his family back to the Bremerton area and found a new career with Lockheed Martin Strategic Weapons Facility in Silverdale, WA as a missile tester, he retired in 2000. He was very proud of the rights we have in our country and for all those who continually sacrifice to maintain those freedoms.

Bob was dedicated to the Lord's work in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. He had served as a Bishop and was currently teaching the Gospel Doctrine class and a temple worker. He and his wife served two missions with their church, one of which was at the Family History Center in Salt Lake City. Bob was also a Stake Family History Coordinator and loved working on his own genealogy.

Bob was an avid gardener, also enjoyed watching most sports on TV, and movies especially the old Westerns and spending time with his family. Bob started “Sommer Summer Camp” for his grandchildren and would take them camping for a week every summer as soon as they were old enough to adhere to his regimented schedules and obey most of the rules. They had tons of fun together camping, fishing, swimming, teach them how to cook and clean up as you go and most of all the water fights. Bob took that opportunity at camp with his grandchildren to bear his testimony and teach them the gospel. In his retirement, he and Pam were able to travel across the US with their truck and fifth-wheel to see most of the 48 states. They often brought their grandkids with them to share with them the beauty of this great land of the free.

Bob is survived by his 3 children, Robert L. Sommer, Jr., Barbara Sutton and Douglas Sommer; 8 grandchildren, Levi Sutton IV, Bradley and Donald Sommer, Emily Liddle, Timothy, Amy, Andrew and Jacob Sutton; and his sister, Lorraine “Aunt Lou” Ardes.

He was also preceded in death by his siblings, Dolores Garvey, Harry Joseph Sommer (infant), Charleen Brittingham and Donald Sommer.

Viewing will be at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. 2225 Perry Ave, Bremerton, WA 98310 on Wednesday, May 20th 4-6 pm and Thursday May 21st from 1-2:45 p.m. followed by the Funeral Service at 3 p.m.

Private Committal service with full military honors will be held the following morning at 9 a.m. at Tahoma National Cemetery, Kent, WA.

Arrangements under the direction of Miller-Woodlawn Funeral Home, Bremerton, WA.