03/07/2009: "Robert Ramirez"

August 8th, 1920 - March 4th, 2009

Robert Ramirez died peacefully at his home, Wednesday March 4th, 2009. His wife Ruthe and step-daughter Katie Dillery were with him.

Bob Ramirez was born in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania on August 8th, 1920. He moved to Spokane, Washington where he and his two sisters and brother lived with their grandmother. When he was twenty one, he moved to Seattle and worked in the shipyards. He joined the Merchant Marine in 1948 and working as a purser, sailed to the Philippines, India and China before returning to Seattle and opening a record store. He later worked for Boeing and the University of Washington as a computer programmer.

Bob and Ruthe were married at her home on Mercer Island in 1971. They moved to Friday Harbor in the fall of 1986 after Bob retired from the University of Washington. He worked for Mark Anderson’s company, Island Technologies, before finally settling down to real retirement and enjoying his many grandchildren.

Bob leaves his beloved wife Ruthe Lewis Lyons Ramirez, step-daughter Katie Dillery, her husband Ted Dillery and their 3 children: Ben, Sophia and Madison Dillery. He is survived by his sisters; Adele Drew of Ohji, California and Lucille Ford of Tyler, Texas. He will be greatly missed by Ruthe’s children and their families; Kim, Dorthy, Hillary and Drew Lyons of Olympia, Washington, Becky, Peter, Madeline and Adrian Kilpatrick of Friday Harbor, Shelle, Ellis, Isla and Sky Cropper also of Friday Harbor, Washington and Ruthe’s daughter in law, Rhonda Wilson Lyons of Friday Harbor.

There will be a rosary at St Francis Catholic Church, Friday March 13th @ 7pm. The funeral Mass will be Saturday, March 14th @ 12:30pm followed by a celebration of Bob’s life at the church hall.
In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be donated to the San Juan Animal Shelter or St Francis Alter Society.