Bob was born July 17, 1922 in St. Louis, MO to Oscar Paul and Louise “Lulu” (née Gumper) Krattli, the eldest of three sons. In 1943, he enlisted in the Army Air Force and acted as a Staff Sergeant in the China Burma India (CBI) Theater during WWII. After the war, Bob attended Principia College in Elsa, Illinois, graduating with his bachelor’s degree in 1949. He was with his first wife, Louise for 35 years, before she succumbed to lymphoma. During that time, Bob worked in a variety of career fields: automotive with GM, aerospace with Boeing, and payroll administration with the Department of Education. Bob married Alicia Valle in 1985, and the two relocated to Orange County, CA where they had their son, Robert Jr, in 1989.
One of Bob’s biggest passions was classical music. From a young age he had a talent for the violin, and through tutelage rose up to prominence in youth and high school orchestras, and even continued playing later in life. He would often be accompanied by his youngest brother, Edgar Krattli, on the piano in his brother’s home in Missouri. Bob also had a love for animals, particularly dogs, whom he owned several, and ducks, whose imagery could be found throughout his home. A religious man, Bob followed the Christian Science teachings of Mary Baker Eddy, and it was this spiritual and fundamental understanding of God that shaped Bob’s appreciation for life and his compassion for everyone that he met. Coworkers, friends, neighbors—everyone would always comment on the warmth and smile with which Bob would greet them. A kind soul, Bob embodied the serene joy that was the result of an inner-looking peace and an outward-looking positivity.
Bob was preceded in death by his father, Oscar, his mother, Louise. He is survived by his wife, Alicia, his son, Robert, and his two brothers, Edgar and Dan.
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