Roger K. Rettig

The most loved husband, dad and 'Papa', Roger K. Rettig, age 72, passed away, April 25, 2012, in Kirkland, Washington. He was born to Roy and Mildred Rettig on July 15, 1939 in Seattle, Washington. He grew up in Bothell and lived the majority of his life in Woodinville.

Roger graduated from Bothell High School in 1957, joined the Marine Reserves and went on to graduate with his Bachelor's Degree in Accounting from Golden Gate University.

After college, he moved back to the area, fell in love and married Bobbie Graep in June 1965. They have enjoyed nearly 47 years of a wonderful life together.

He worked for the Burrough's Corporation and then was an auditor for the State of Washington for several years. He then began in Commercial Real Estate in the 1970's. Roger was a community activist. He established the Hollywood Hill Association and was president for several years in the early 1970's. He was also a member of the Downtown Woodinville Property Owner's Association and lifetime member of the Woodinville Historical Society. He was He was known for his regular letters to the editor in the Woodinville Weekly. As a proud American, he was a member of the National Trust for Historic Preservation.

Roger was the eternal optimist: there was always blue sky! Gardening, boating, fishing, crabbing, and scuba diving. He had several Bonsai trees and loved to share his corn, tomatoes and raspberries with family, friends and neighbors. He loved the boat trips with family and friends on the Wiki Wiki in the San Juan Islands, Gulf Islands and most of all catching the 'big ones' off the west coast of Vancouver Island. He and Bobbie shared the love of scuba diving for 20+ years in the Caribbean ... his favorite place was being anywhere on the water.

Known as 'Papa' to his four grandsons, he thoroughly enjoyed doing all things 'boy', attending sporting and school events, as well as spending holidays together.

Roger suffered a massive heart attack due to a blood clot that totally occluded the blood flow to his heart the night of April 12th. The cardiologists said it was a miracle he survived - as they had never seen a patient live through this. Roger wanted to hang on long enough to say his goodbyes to his family and friends and did so through his loving eyes. He was always a fighter and truly our miracle!

Roger is survived by his loving wife Bobbie; daughters Robyn Metz (Wade), and Renee Olson (Greg); four 'Papa' loving grandsons Andrew and Nathan Metz, Josh and Ben Olson; brothers, Richard (Marisella) of Florida, Edward of North Carolina, Jim (Jan) and Jerry (Nancy) all of Woodinville, and many cousins, nephews, and nieces.

There will be a private family burial at the Woodinville Cemetery. Please join us for a Celebration of Roger's Life to be held on May 17, 2012 at 2:00 pm at Bothell First Lutheran Church, Bothell, WA.

Family and friends are invited to share stories and memories on the CaringBridge website: http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/rogerrettig/

Remembrances may be made to:

Evergreen Healthcare Foundation Medic One Fund or to the general hospital fund

12040 NE 128th Street MS #5

Kirkland, WA 98034

Puget Sound Crab Association

www.pugetsoundcrabassociation.com/membership

Roger, the man with the biggest heart, will be dearly missed by his family and friends. We love you! Semper Fi