Obituary of Robert Milton Alderman

Robert was born in Ord Nebraska on November 17, 1928. He was the second of four children born to James M. Alderman and Emma Miska Alderman. He passed peacefully from his earthly home to his heavenly home on January 24, 2012. Bob lived most of his life in Washington State, moving here with his family while he was a young boy. He graduated from Bremerton High School during WWII at which time he left for Hanford, WA to join the war effort, embarking on what he considered a fun job of driving a huge earth mover. Bob had many work experiences throughout his life, but sales and “wheeling and dealing” were what he enjoyed the most. His motto was: if you had it, he had something he could trade you for it. He loved the excitement that accompanied a “good trade”. On June 8, 1952 he married Mary Gossard in Bremerton, WA. They had two children, Robert Jr. and Pamala. His children were a great source of enjoyment for him and there were many happy times spent playing with them, along with the neighborhood kids asking his wife if her daddy could come out and play with them. He was active in boating, fishing, waterskiing, snowmobiling, breakfast picnics and gold panning during the time the family spent living in Alaska. While his children were young he joined them in church activities, becoming a youth leader for several years, taking a group of young people to the ocean for camping a fun activities. He loved his grandchildren and enjoyed babysitting for them. He considered it an honor and privilege to be asked. He assumed the responsibility of shopping for all the Christmas toys for both his children when they were young and then his grandchildren, because he was sure he knew best what they would want, especially if there was a motor involved. Bob retired from King County Corrections in 1991 after fifteen years. Prior to that he was the District Manager for Drackett Products and American Tobacco Company. He enjoyed watching pro golf and NASCAR on TV. He also had many hobbies that kept him on the go including remodeling the many homes the family lived in, he especially loved redoing kitchens. His other hobbies included managing a marina, jewelry making working on cars, golfing and meeting the guys at the mall to solve the world’s problems over a morning cup of coffee. Bob was preceded in death by his son Robert Jr., his parents and his sister Jean. He is survived by Mary, his wife of 59 years, his daughter Pam, granddaughters Amee (Brian) Schwitters, Kerri (Matt) Kinnee, grandson Bryan and granddaughter Kandyce Sjodin. He also leaves behind two great grandchildren, Kellan and Kara Schwitters, along with his daughter-in-law Karen Alderman. Others mourning his loss are his brother James (Martha) and his sister Barbara Goupel, niece Valerie, nephews Jamie, Sidney and Steve, along with great nieces and Nephews. A bright light has gone out of our lives, but now that light is shining in heaven where he has joined his loved ones who have gone ahead of him and now is in the presence of his Lord and Savior. We will always miss him and hold him in our hearts.