Robert (Bob) was born on December 18, 1943 in Pasadena, California and was the son of Robert and Jeanne (Bosca) Gates. As a child, Bob lived a military life residing on various Army Bases throughout the world. His family settled at Ft. Lewis in Tacoma, Washington where he graduated from high school.
Bob started his military career by attending West Point Military Academy. He graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in 1965 and was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant. Bob was deployed to serve in Vietnam and was awarded the Silver Star, Bronze Star and Purple Heart for his bravery. He retired from the Army on December 9, 1969 at the rank of Captain and later went to work for Shell Oil Company in California where he worked in retail engineering, sales management, and special projects.
On July 21, 1978, Bob married Susan Hayes on Curacao, an island in the Caribbean. They met in Houston, Texas and she joined him there where he lived at the time for his job. That pattern continued and the couple moved often with Shell, living in Detroit, Chicago, and other cities, before finally settling in 1994 at Shell head office back in Houston. Bob retired in 1998 and the couple moved to Sandy, Oregon in 2005. They both loved the beauty of Oregon and the many wonderful friends they made.
Bob was a devoted husband. He enjoyed building computers, wood working, ham radio and Sudoku. He also had a special place in his heart for the couple's cats and the many birds he fed extravagantly.
Bob is survived by his wife, Susan, of Sandy, father, Robert Gates, Sr. of Tacoma, Washington, brother, Cass Gates and niece, Michelle Christenson, of Washington.
A graveside service with military honors will be held on Wednesday, November 16, 2011 at 1:00 pm at Willamette National Cemetery in Portland, Oregon. There will also be a social gathering following the service (3:00 PM) at the Community Presbyterian Church in Sandy. Address: 39290 Scenic Street. This will be a casual get together, with light snacks and desserts. If you plan to attend (so they can have some idea on attendance), or have any questions, please get in touch with Marcia Brown at: [email protected] / 503-668-6547 or Cathy Fantz at: [email protected] / 503-637-6495.s
Contributions may be made in memory of Bob to the Oregon Humane Society. Bateman Carroll Funeral Home is handling the arrangements.
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