Robert Dwayne Carpenter

Robert was born on 1 February 1946 to Edward & Edith Carpenter in Chickamauga Georgia. He was the third of nine children, and the oldest boy.

His early life was not stable. His parents were alcoholics. The family moved often, and typically with little advance notice. He sometimes said they “wandered like gypsies” and that service station attendants across the country “knew them by name.” He credited his mother with “keeping the family together” however, his father provided him with an example of everything he did not want to be. The adversity of his childhood drove him to provide for his family to the best of his ability. He had a solid work ethic, and always strove to be the best example of whatever he was working at.

Employed by Menasco at the Burbank plant, Bob manufactured aircraft landing gear sets. While at Menasco he was part of a team that figured out how to modify and upgrade the landing gear on the KC-135 Stratotanker. Also, he worked with a Menasco partner: Stellar Hydraulic Research, as a part of the team that developed the nose gear for the Space Shuttle. No matter his desire to work, he was met with an obstacle that made aerospace work unavailable so he moved from Southern California and landed on Whidbey Island. He then tried his hand as a small business owner. He owned and operated a Laundromat & Dry Cleaner in Clinton, as well as a Mobil service station in Freeland. But, while working on a car he was badly burned, both physically and financially and he found it time to move on.

Bob then became a Concrete Pump Operator. He learned in the old school way. His brother Mike worked at “Crane Rentals” and taught his older brother how to operate a pump, and probably how to drive the truck as well. All on-the-job training. As a pump operator he worked for Dick Babbett, Cliff’s, PumpCrete, Reliable, Pacific, and Conco. In addition, he was involved in partnerships at ABC, and N-Line.

Bob was a huge Raiders fan even though he often shut off a game in disgust when the team underperformed. He also loved the Lakers, and the San Francisco Giants. He was an avid fisherman and loved to mow his lawn on his riding mower. His favorite book was “Shogun” by James Clavell.

Bob was involved in raising five children: Dwayne, Donald, Aubrey, Claudine, and Nadine. He loved his family and felt a responsibility for all of them. The Salvation of his family was of great concern to him. Cherie, his niece, recently mentioned that she “loved how he loved the Lord.”

He was preceded in death by his parents, his brother Ronnie, and sisters Joanne, Joyce, Sandra, and Karen. He is survived by his Wife Yvonne, his children, many grandchildren & great grandchildren, and by his siblings Ed, Mike, and Pam.

A funeral service for Robert will be held Friday, February 9, 2024 from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM at Purdy & Walters at Floral Hills, 409 Filbert Road, Lynnwood, WA 98036, followed by a graveside service from 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM in the Azalea Garden.

Family and friends who are unable to attend Robert's funeral in person may click on the link below to view the funeral in real-time via livestream.

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