Born in Indianapolis, Indiana on July 20, 1926, the first of two children of Robert West King, Sr. and Letha Simms King, Bob spent his formative years in Indianapolis. In 1943, Bob enlisted in the U.S. Navy as a Seaman Third Class, completing his training at the Naval Training Center in Great Lakes, Illinois before reporting for duty aboard the SS Josiah Earl.
Bob served on a number of vessels while on active duty in the Asiatic-Pacific Theatre during World War II where he received commendation medals for his service. He entered the reserves in the late 1940s and during that time, he met Elizabeth Jeanette Deiter. They were married on June 17, 1950 at The Church of the Assumption in Topeka, Kansas.
Bob was a member of the first crew of the newly-commissioned nuclear submarine, USS Patrick Henry, from 1959 to 1963. He rose to the rank of Chief Quartermaster, Submarine Service, and was respectfully known as “Chief.” In February, 1964, he was transferred to the Naval & Marine Corps Reserve Center in Green Bay, Wisconsin. Bob returned to active duty in January, 1967 with a command position aboard the USS Will Rogers in the North Atlantic Ocean.
Bob was defined by his military service, especially on the USS Patrick Henry, where he served a second tour from 1968-1969. He wore his signature USS Patrick Henry baseball cap throughout his life. Bob faithfully served in the U.S. Navy for 30 years, leaving active duty in 1969. He was officially and honorably retired in 1973.
Bob relocated to Two Rivers, Wisconsin after divorcing in 1978, where he worked at Paragon Industries until his retirement in 1991. He greatly enjoyed playing golf and regularly meeting his seafaring friends at the Manitowoc Yacht Club. Bob did not relish the cold Wisconsin winters so for many years, he fled the snow and ice for the warmth and sun in Ajijic, Chapala, Mexico.
In 2001, at age 75, Bob began a love story with his future wife, Sophia Dye. With solid knowledge that she was the one for him, Bob moved to the greater Los Angeles area to be with Sophia, and after a two-year romance they were married on November 22, 2003 in Bora Bora, Tahiti. They made it legal in Las Vegas, Nevada a month later. Throughout their 23 years together, Bob and Sophia enjoyed traveling to Hawaii, Tahiti, Cook Islands, the Caribbean Islands, Asia, Alaska and Poland. Bob was an avid golfer and bowler and enjoyed destination golf and weekly bowling with friends right up to his early 90s.
Although Bob was not close, he was especially proud of his children and grandchildren and always enjoyed his trips to Wisconsin for the annual King Family Picnic, a three-day event at his son’s waterfront cottage in Sand Bay, Door County.
As he continues his journey in spirit, Bob leaves behind his much-beloved wife, Sophia, whose love and care sustained him in his later years of life on Earth.
He is survived by his eight children – Steven (Patti) King, Kathryn King (Kress) Rossmann, Ann King, Kevin (Susan) King, Robert (Jennifer) King III, Michael (Sheryl) King, Linda Thieme, and Scott (Susanne) King; his fifteen grandchildren and five great-grandchildren; his stepson, Jack Dye, and sister-in-law, Danuta Gajos.
He will be greatly missed by his family and friends.
The family would like to thank the dedicated staff of West Hills Hospital for providing compassionate and excellent care.
Services will be held on Friday, March 15th at 2:00pm at Pierce Brothers Valley Oaks Mortuary, 5600 Lindero Canyon Rd Westlake, CA 91362.
An official U.S. Navy Burial at Sea ceremony will be held at a later date on a vessel deploying from the port of San Diego, California.
COMPARTA UN OBITUARIO
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