Robert (Bob) Ernest Kacel
September 18, 1948 - July 10, 2015
Obituary
Robert (Bob) Ernest Kacel
Robert (Bob) Ernest Kacel, 66, of Seattle, Washington passed away at home on July 10, 2015 after a long illness. Bob was born in Detroit, Michigan on September 18, 1948.
He graduated in 1966 from Osborn High School and continued on to receive a Bachelor of Architecture from the University of Michigan in 1971.
Bob was married to Rebecca Kleen on August 12, 1972. They were married 42 years. Bob worked as an architect for the University of Michigan and then the State of Washington over a career of 44 years. He enjoyed a lifelong hobby of creative model making and creating dioramas for which he won many awards. Bob was also actively involved in the Lutheran and Episcopal churches, and was a member of the Alpha Rho Chi Fraternity.
Bob is survived by wife Rebecca Kleen Kacel, daughters Melissa Kacel and Julia Kacel, grandchildren Adelle and Dane Leatherwood, brother Richard J. Kacel Jr., sisters Patricia Fischer, Nancy VerWest, and Cheryl Ahlborn, as well as other family and friends. Bob was preceded in death by his parents Richard J. Kacel and Gladys E. Kacel.
In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to the Swedish Cancer Institute and sent to Swedish Medical Foundation, 747 Broadway, Seattle, WA, 98122.
The memorial service will be held at 1:00 pm on August 4, 2015 at St John the Baptist Episcopal Church, 3050 California Ave SW, Seattle, WA, 98116.
take care of yourself
To Becki and family
I’m very sorry for your loss of a wonderful husband and Father.
My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Sharon Barrea
Always I will have wonderful memories of our growing up in Detroit and Bob’s train set and models.
Sorry for you loss. Bob was a man of great integrity.
Bob was always very kind, and willing to share his expertise with others. I’m sorry for your loss.
So sorry for your loss. I have such fond memories of Bob. Condolences from my parents, Kenneth and Kardia Kacel, also. My Father spoke highly of Bob throughout the years. Prayers for you and your family.
Since I went all through grade school(K-8) and was in the same classroom at Mt. Calvary Lutheran because I’m a few months older than Bob, we were confirmed together and had an awful picture taken of the two of us together on Confirmation Sunday. I have very vivid memories of him. The last time I saw him he was showing me a picture book of his Panama Canal cruise he took. I recall he and Rick running around the lawn on Minden flapping their pants pockets like they were flying and many years later seeing him sitting in the grandstands of Osborn High School where we both went, reading a book during a pep rally in the gym. He was his own man.
Our prayers go out to my dear sister and her girls, grandchildren and Bob’s family. Bob will truly be missed but will live in our hearts forever.
Bob and I worked together for a few years at DSHS and I always enjoyed his congeniality and good sense of humor. We would travel to Echo Glen or Indian Ridge and have time to talk about non-work related things. I always found him to be bright and cheerful and his passing is a loss to all who knew him.
I worked with Bob for many years prior to his retirement. Bob was a pleasure to work with. Very knowledgeable and experienced. He was a kind man, and always with a great attitude. I will miss our conversations. Rest in Peace Bob. My sincerest condolences goes out to all family and friends.
Bob’s family have my deepest sympathy. I’m sure that he is greatly missed.
Much love
Bob and I shared a fascination with books on Gaudi, Paris architecture and modelmaking, and shared many enjoyable conversations about travel plans as well more serious ones about our mutual battles with cancer. I also preceded and followed him at work on the UW Bothell/Cascadia CC campus as well as Whatcom CC. I know the clients will also be sad to hear Bob is no longer with us. The world has a little less laughter now. He was always good for a cheerful conversation and I am forever grateful for the time he spent with us.
My favorite memory of Uncle Bob was during a family reunion trip to Glacier Mountain National Park. Uncle Bob was driving the “good times” van in our extended family convoy. I can’t remember the exact details, but we stopped at one of the visitor centers and everyone was having difficulty finding a parking spot. Whether by accident or intentionally, (I have never known lol), Uncle Bob ran over a no parking sign. The sign was folded down underneath his car. In true Uncle Bob form, he decided to just park the van there. I still laugh every time I think of this particular memory. I will miss you Uncle Bob.
Becky, Mellissa, & Julia:
Sorry for the loss of your husband & dad. Things I’ll never forget:
Tried to burn down the forest clearing camp at Icicle Creek, with the Kacels, Valberts, & Fyles kids and dads.
Reroofing Jack Stegengas house with too many archittects & Bob.
Reroofing my dad’s garage with four architects & Bob.
Watching Michigan vs. U of W Huskies Rose Bowl game with all of us. The lesson I learned is never do such a thing again, the huskies won and you guys were too sad was the other way around, as I recall, the next year.
Some good times were had, Bob, we’ll miss you.
Rudy
Bob and I shared a telecommuter hoteling space for many years, though we could never figure out why we were the only ones to do that. He would regale me with stories of the University of Michigan in the 70’s and of his upcoming cruises with Rebecca. He always had a certain touch of irreverence and humor…. He took great pride in his participation in the field of architecture and always invested his efforts to the highest level. it was a true pleasure to work with him and he will be missed by all that he knew and worked with.
Dearest Bob, Becky,Melissa, and Julia,
Cooking and cleaning must wait for tomorrow,
For now I must share my dear friend’sorrow.
Dear Bob you’ll be missed as much as you were loved,
So now I must go search for the brightest new star,
In the heavens above.
I’m wishing you all the success and richness on you new journey as the Hindus belive.
Love and hugs to each of you.
Pauline Rughani
In memory of a special brother in law:
Bob I loved your kind heart and gentle way. You always made me feel a part of the Kacel Family. I have fond memories riding in the “Good Times” van to Canada from glacier national park. We saw so many different animals during that ride as it put-putted up the steep inclines. I remember you and Becky bringing us a tent and sleeping bags so we would be warm and cozy while camping in mount rainier national park. Thank you for the special connection you had with Rick. You will be missed but we will see you again.
I will miss you Uncle Bob. My Uncle Bob was the fun uncle that is usually everyone’s favorite. The thing I will miss the most about him is his unique sense of humor and his quirky personality. I remember our trip to Glacier National Park back in ’97 when he parked over the No Parking sign on the side of the road with the Good Times van. It always brings a smile to my face remembering that. The world is missing something wonderful now that he is gone.
I was sorry to see Bob had passed away when I saw it in the current issue of the Michigan Alumnus Magazine. Bob and I were roommates in West Quad our freshman year at Michigan – from September of ’66 through May of ’67 I believe he moved into the Alpha house after that and I went into an apartment with three other guys. I also graduated in 1971, so the educational part of our lives paralleled each others for those five years. While I haven’t talked with Bob since graduation, I have some fond memories of our time in West Quad
GO BLUE, Bob