Robert (Bob) Lee Clapsaddle

Robert (Bob) Lee Clapsaddle

October 1, 1930 ~ January 10, 2017

Bob Clapsaddle, age 86, born in Waterman, Illinois and a long time Gig Harbor, Washington, resident passed away peacefully at home on January 10, 2017.  Bob was a Staff Sergeant in the U. S. Air Force as a radio mechanic during the Berlin Airlift in Berlin, Germany, for five years.  One of Bob’s favorite memories was participating during the candy bomber missions.  During that time Bob also traveled with the USAF softball teams competing all across Europe.  During Bob’s service, he earned the Air Force Commendation Medal, Air Force Good Conduct Medal, Occupation Medal (Germany) with the Berlin Airlift Device, and the Medal for Humanitarian Acts.  After Bob’s military service, Bob started work in the aeronautical engineering field retiring from Boeing after 32 years of faithful service.  After moving to Gig Harbor, Bob decided retirement was not for him and started a landscaping business with a clientele full of senior citizens. 

Bob and his wife, Sara, of 49 years, lived and raised their family in Issaquah, WA.  Bob coached and refereed all of his sons in soccer and baseball and taught his daughter how to fly fish, and gave her his love for cooking.  Bob is survived by his wife, Sara, daughter Phyllis (Greg) Wolfe, sons Gerry (Diane), Bob, Jeff (John), and Brent.  Bob has nine grandchildren, Malia (Dee), Brendon, Nathan, Corey, Sophie, Austin, Dylan, Ethan, and Lane; three great-grandchildren, Kelsey (Keegan), Kaitlynn, Kaeleana; and two great great-grandchildren, Layla and Mason.  Bob was preceded in death by his parents, George and Vivian Clapsaddle, his sister Norma and brother, Donald.

Bob was an avid golfer, gardener, hunter, fishermen, and loved a good hand of poker.  One of his favorite memories during a fishing trip in Kenai, Alaska, was catching the big one, his 80 pound King Salmon.  Bob had a passion for the game of golf and he was always striving for that elusive hole in one.   We can rest assured he is still teeing it up.

Bob was a community activist, served as a deacon at Chapel Hill Presbyterian Church, and chaired numerous golf tournaments.  In lieu of flowers, Bob requested memorial remembrances be made in his honor to your local YoungLife chapter.

Services will be held at Tahoma National Cemetery, Kent, Washington, January 24, 2017, 12:30 p.m.

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