Robert Arnold Patzer Jr. passed away on Wednesday, Dec. 3, at Harrison Hospital in Bremerton, Wash.. He was born on December 6, 1944, in Riverside and was 63 years of age.
Robert was raised in Napa and graduated from Napa High School in 1963. He immediately enlisted in the U.S. Navy and was honorably discharged in 1973. He had served as the crypto communications specialist on the Admiral's Staff during the Vietnam War.
He attended Napa Community College and apprenticed and worked as a journeyman welder, planner, progressman at Mare Island Naval Shipyard. He retired in 1994 and moved to Poulsbo, Wash.
Robert drove a school bus for the North Kitsap School District from 1995-2003. He enjoyed traveling, both domestic and abroad, dancing, gardening, metal artwork, working on his wife's family farm in Ashland, Ore., camping, fishing, movies, family get togethers, backyard bbq's ("master craftsman") and margaritas on the beaches of Lake Tahoe and Mexico.
He was a devoted family man. Robert was well liked by everyone who knew him. He had a generous and loving nature and was known for his positive attitude, sense of humor, Hawaiian shirts and hats. Robert bravely battled leukemia and lymphoma during the past ten years.
He is survived by his wife of 30 years, Nancy Lynch Patzer; daughter, D. Meghan Patzer of Poulsbo, Wash.; mother, Lela Morrison; brother, Gerald Patzer of Napa; sisters, Gloria Scott of Clear Lake, Cleo Patzer Alvarado of Vallejo, Shirley Patzer of Poulsbo, Wash., and Crystal Patzer of Corning. He also leaves behind his aunt, Cleo Doughty of Odessa, Texas; 29 nieces and nephews; 12 in-laws and many loving friends.
A memorial service was held on Sunday, Dec. 7, at 1 p.m. at Redeemer Methodist Church in Kingston, WA, 9900 NE Shorty Campbell Road, Kingston, WA 98346
The family would appreciate memorial donations to the American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 2383 Bremerton, WA 98310; or The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, Donor Services, P.O. Box 4072 , Pittsfield, MA 01202.
Please sign the online Guest Book for the family at www.cookfamilyfuneralhome.com.
Published by Times Herald Online on Dec. 6, 2008.
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