Robert Louis (Bob) Bates passed away September 4, 2014. He was born March 5, 1930 in Somers Point, New Jersey to Ralph and Lillie Bates. Upon graduation from Dickenson College in 1952, Bob enlisted in the US Navy. He was selected for commissioning as an Aviation Maintenance Officer serving aboard the USS Yorktown during the Korean War. Following his enlistment, he moved to Austin and attended the University of Texas earning his Masters in Business. He met and later married Evanell Horn on May 31, 1958. He was commissioned as a Navy Supply Corp Officer in 1959 and served until 1975 including two more tours at sea aboard the USS Little Rock and The USS Oklahoma City. Bob and Evanell were blessed with three spirited children. After completing his Navy career, the family returned to Austin where Bob worked as the Director of Manufacturing at Tracor for twenty years.
Bob was a faithful and active member of the Lutheran Church. He volunteered as an usher, board member, and congregation president.
Bob was a gifted craftsman and landscaper. He enjoyed building furniture for his children and grandchildren, assisting neighbors with new fences and decks, and building pergolas and gazebos. He was an avid outdoorsman, enjoyed hunting and fishing, exploring the National Parks, and he visited 49 of the 50 states. He was an avid reader with an insatiable thirst for knowledge.
Bob is preceded in death by his parents and survived by his loving family: his wife of 56 years Evanell, his sister Doris Huntsman, son Steve Bates, daughters Becky Bates, Betsy and husband John Bronkhorst and two grandchildren Zachary and Caroline Bronkhorst.
The family would like to thank Dr. Martin Molina, the doctors, nurses and staff at St. David’s Round Rock for their wonderful care and concern as well as Visiting Angels, Lisa, Michelle, Celeste, and Shona for their many hours of care.
A Funeral Service will be held for Bob at 11:00A.M. on Monday, September 8th at Redeemer Lutheran Church in Austin, Texas. An Interment will follow at Cook-Walden Capital Parks Cemetery in Pflugerville, Texas.
In lieu of flowers, the family would like you to consider donations to the Wounded Warrior Project or the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.
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