Robert (Bob) H. Tate, of Bellevue, Wash., died on June 8, 2009, at home of congestive heart failure. He was 83.

Mr. Tate was born on Feb. 19, 1926 in McMinnville, Ore., to Genevieve M. Howell and Roy M. Tate. He was raised in Portland, Ore., with his three sisters. The family attended Mt. Tabor Presbyterian Church. Mr. Tate graduated from Franklin High School, where he played baseball, basketball and football. Upon graduation, he joined the Navy and attended Willamette University and the University of Washington in the Navy V12 Program. He played baseball for the UW, twice being selected to All-Northern Division Teams, was elected captain and Inspirational Award Winner. He played semi-pro baseball for four years before beginning his career in education. He married at 24, lived on Mercer Island and raised three daughters.

Mr. Tate had a distinguished career in education and the Navy. He began his teaching and coaching career at Garfield High School in Seattle from 1949-1960. He was vice-principal of Queen Anne High School, 1960-65; principal of Cleveland High School, 1965-68; and principal of Mercer Island High School, 1968-71. In 1971, he moved to the administrative offices of the Mercer Island School District, becoming the administrative assistant to the superintendent, then the personnel director until his retirement in 1980. During his career, he was active in the Seattle Coaches Association, Pacific NW Officials Association, the Pacific NW Athletic Roundtable and the KingCo League. Captain Tate retired from his post of Commanding Officer, Naval Air Reserve Staff T1, with 34.5 years of active and reserve duty. During his enlistment, he was awarded the Naval Aviation Rendezvous Award for Outstanding Contribution to Naval Aviation; president, Seattle Council of Navy League of U.S.; and served on the Secretary of Navy National Naval Reserve Policy Board.

Mr. Tate will be most remembered for his genuine interest in people, his caring and his sense of humor.

Mr. Tate is survived by his wife of 23 years, Marty Tate, of Bellevue, Wash.; their six children: Susan Bentley, Chicago, Ill.; Terry and Tad Patterson, Spokane, Wash.; Pam and Scott Saunders, Atlanta, Ga.; Pete and Connie Holton, Bellevue; Steve and Reisha Holton, Sammamish, Wash.; Dan Holton, Los Angeles, Calif.; and 10 grandchildren. He is survived by two sisters, Betty Hart and Margaret Anderson, Portland, Ore.; one niece, five nephews and their families. He was preceded in death by his parents, Genevieve M. Howell and Roy M. Tate; his sister and brother-in-law, Josephine and Claire Brown; and one nephew.

A celebration of Mr. Tate’s life will be held at 3 p.m. on Sunday, June 28, at the Don James Center, University of Washington Husky Stadium, 3800 Montlake Blvd. N.E., Seattle, Wash., 98195.