Robert Ramirez

Robert Ramirez died peacefully at his home, Wednesday, March 4, 2009. His wife, Ruthe, and stepdaughter, Katie Dillery, were with him. Bob Ramirez was born in Pittsburg, Pa., on August 8, 1920. He moved to Spokane, Wash., where he and his two sisters and brother lived with their grandmother. When he was 21, he moved to Seattle and worked in the shipyards. He joined the Merchant Marine in 1948 and working as a purser, sailed to the Philippines, India and China before returning to Seattle and opening a record store. He later worked for Boeing and the University of Washington as a computer programmer. Bob and Ruthe were married at her home on Mercer Island in 1971. They moved to Friday Harbor in the fall of 1986 after Bob retired from the University of Washington. He worked for Mark Anderson’s company, Island Technologies, before finally settling down to real retirement and enjoying his many grandchildren. Bob leaves his beloved wife, Ruthe Lewis Lyons Ramirez, stepdaughter Katie Dillery, her husband Ted Dillery and their 3 children: Ben, Sophia and Madison Dillery. He is survived by his sisters; Adele Drew of Ohji, Calif., and Lucille Ford of Tyler, Texas. He will be greatly missed by Ruthe’s children and their families; Kim, Dorthy, Hillary and Drew Lyons of Olympia, Wash., Becky, Peter, Madeline and Adrian Kilpatrick of Friday Harbor, Wash., Shelle, Ellis, Isla and Sky Crop-per also of Friday Harbor, and Ruthe’s daughter-in-law, Rhonda Wilson Lyons of Friday Harbor. There will be a rosary at 7 p.m., Friday, March 13, at St. Francis Catholic Church. The funeral Mass will be at 12:30 p.m., Saturday, March 14, followed by a celebration of Bob’s life at the church hall. Remembrances are suggested to the San Juan Animal Shelter or St. Francis Alter Society.