Robert Andrew Pedersen
May 28, 1918 - June 9, 2006
Obituary
Robert Pedersen was born May 28, 1918 to Norwegian parents in Bremerton, Washington. Interested in the outdoors from his early days as a boy scout, Bob and buddies ventured regularly into the Olympic mountains during the 1930s-early ‘40s. They learned to ski on long wooden boards in the winter and completed many climbs, including first-ascents, in the summer. During the depression, it was a challenge for Bob and friends to bum a car and scrounge-up enough money for gasoline. These adventures are summarized in the book: “Early Hiking in the Olympic Mountains” P. Crews, 1996. Bob also climbed all the volcanoes in Washington.
Bob graduated from the University of Washington in 1940, where he was elected to Tau Beta Pi national engineering honorary society and Zeta Mu Tau applied mathematics honorary society with a degree in mechanical engineering. A ROTC naval student, Bob was appointed Ensign just before his 22nd birthday and assigned to naval operations in the Pacific. During ten days leave in mid-November 1940, he married Leona Caryl Smith. Bob was on a sea plane tender, the destroyer USS Ballard and was involved in operations in the south Pacific e.g., Espirito Santo, Guadalcanal. In mid-1943 he was ordered to the USN Post Graduate School in Annapolis, Maryland where Leona and their baby daughter joined him; their first son was born in Annapolis. Bob completed graduate school and was ordered to the Staff of USNA as Post Graduate School Instructor in navigation. After appointment to the rank, Lt. Commander, Bob was sent back to the Pacific theater where by spring, 1945 he reported to Adm. Barbee’s staff for planning the final invasions of the war.
Bob and his family returned to Seattle where he joined the Washington Surveying and Rating Bureau in 1946. The Pedersen family eventually bought a home in West Seattle. “Pete” as he was often called, started as a Field Engineer at the Bureau. Learning the fire protection engineering field well, he was appointed Chief Engineer in 1952, Assistant Manager in 1956, Associate Manager in 1957, and Manager in 1972 until his retirement in his late 60s. Pete was active in the Society of Fire Protection Engineers SFPE. Concurrent with his rise through the offices of SFPE – Second and First Vice President, to President 1967, he served as chairmen or member of several committees – Membership, Advisory, Chapter Activities, Honors, and Long Range Planning. As a 1982 awards recipient, Bob was appointed the Grade of Fellow in the SFPE.
Pete was an early proponent of computerization to handle the mass of data and calculations implicit in the operation of a rating bureau and was always a strong supporter of an engineering approach to fire protection. He introduced hydraulic calculation of sprinkler systems into the rating process, providing incentive for better system design and ultimate performance.
Bob’s other professional activities included Chairman, Fire Prevention Code Advisory Board 1952-1975; various committees of the Building Code Advisory Board; Municipal League; and Rotary. From 1960 well into the 1980s, Pete served as Chairman of the National Fire Protection Association’s Piers and Wharves Committee. He was a member of the Automatic Sprinkler Committee from 1952-1971 and various other committees. Pete was also a Member of Underwriter Laboratories and its Fire Council.
Starting in 1954, Bob and Leona built a cabin on US Forest Service land near the northeast corner of Mt. Rainier National Park. He taught his kids to ski, hike, and climb in the days when there were few people on the backcountry high routes or trails. He devoted a great deal of his free time to the Boy Scouts. As camping chairman for Troop 286, he planned and led regular trips. He would take a dozen boy scouts for eight-day traverses and climbs deep into the Olympic Mountains, sometimes as the only adult on the trip!
In an interesting twist of activities, in 1971 Bob got into SCUBA diving during the sport’s relatively early days. Even after he gave up SCUBA, Bob could be found snorkeling around Alki for exercise.
Bob hiked and skied well into his 80s, often accompanying one of his children and their friends. As a member of the Ancient Skiers, he volunteered much time for the organization including involvement in the establishment of the Ancient Skier’s – Ski Museum some items currently on display in the Crystal Mountain day lodge. In Bob’s later years, he also enjoyed cross-county road trips to ski resorts around the west; rafting in British Columbia, and returning to the South Pacific.
Bob passed on June 9th peacefully after a seizure that could not be treated. His ashes will join Leona’s died 1993 in a high mountain meadow. Leona’s intensive support on the home front was returned through his 24/7 care for her in her last years. He is survived by his siblings, three children and grandchildren, and a great-grandchild that’s “in the oven”.
Bob was a fabulous leader and mentor to youth. He will be remembered by family and friends for his patience, devotion to family, depth of knowledge, a sensitivity and talent to get along with so many different types of people, and of a character that we wish we all could emulate.
Happy trails, Dad!
A get-together/wake with family and friends of Bob:
September 2, 2006 Saturday from late morning…to…
Lincoln Park, West Seattle Shelter #4 on the beach
Rob: 206-935-8311 Caryl: 509-996-3458
Memorials contributions may be made to Washington Trails Association.
We feel lucky to have met Bob along with many other members of his remarkable family. His love of the outdoors and adventure continues to inspire us. Our thoughts are with Gordon and Sue, our dear friends, and the rest of the family.
It was a pleasure working with him for many years at the WSRB. He was thoughtful and understanding. He will be missed. We extend our sympathy to his family.
Bob was a cool guy with a great sense of humor. He was real easy to get along with and a lot of fun. I have missed not seeing him at the cabin these last few years and feel a real sense of loss at his passing. My deepest condolences to Rob and the rest of Bob’s family.
Uncle Bob was one of the sweetest men I’ve had the pleasure of knowing. I always enjoyed listening to his tales of the adventurous life he lived so fully. God Bless
I had the good fortune to meet Pete in 2001 when he came to visit the offices of WSRB. He showed pictures and talked about his love for the mountains. He was a joy to talk to!
On behalf of the employees of WSRB, I offer our sympathy to his family. He will be missed.