Robert Emerson Gates' Obituary
Bob was born in Seattle on April 25, 1919. He passed away on February 26, 2018, just two months short of his 99th birthday. Bob is survived by his son Cassius Gates, granddaughter Michelle Christenson (Greg), grandchildren Ethan and Aiden Christenson and daughter in-law Susan Gates. He was preceded in death by his wife Jeanne, oldest son Robert Jr. and daughter in-law Sharon Lord.
Bob joined the army in 1942, and before going off to war, married the love of his life, Jeanne (Bosca). As a paratrooper in the famed 82nd Airborne (“The Devils in Baggy Pants”) during WWII, he made two jumps, one into Sicily and one into Holland. Bob also came ashore in a landing craft during the Normandy Invasion. Bob saw action in Sicily, Salerno, Anzio, Holland, The Bulge and Central Europe. He was wounded in action three times in total. Bob was a highly decorated paratrooper and was awarded, The Bronze Star, The Purple Heart with cluster, Combat Infantryman’s Badge, European Theater Ribbon, American Theater Ribbon, American Defense Ribbon, Victory Ribbon, Occupation Ribbon, Belgium Fouraguerre, French Fouraguerre, Dutch Order of Wilhelm and the Presidential Unit Citation and cluster.
In 1951, Bob, his wife and two boys were stationed in a small town (Bad Tolz) in the Bavarian Alps. They were there for almost six years before finding their way back to “the states” in 1956. They eventually moved back to the Pacific Northwest in 1959 where they lived on Vashon Island and Kent, before finally settling in Lakewood (in 1962), where they resided for the last 56+ years. After retiring from the army, Bob worked at Boeing for a number of years. He later went to work (back “in uniform”) as a communications officer for the Washington State Patrol, where he finally, permanently, retired.
Bob had many interests. He was an avid bowler, (bowled a 300 game in league bowling) and being a “Ham” radio operator. Bob was a longtime member of the Tacoma Radio club. He loved working in his yard and was very proud of his lawn and gardens. His greatest joy was spending time with his wife, children, granddaughter and extended family. He was a “grandfather” to many of the neighborhood children, even taking some boys on camping and fishing trips.
Bob will be GREATLY missed. He was a WONDERFUL example of what any man should strive to become. He was a proud member of the “GREATEST GENERATION”. (And INDEED they were…Bless them ALL)
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