Robert James Voelzke
June 18, 1939 - August 19, 2022
Obituary
Robert “Bob/Bobbie” James Voelzke
June 18, 1939 – August 19, 2022
Robert “Bob/Bobbie” James Voelzke, age 83, of Burien, passed away peacefully in his sleep on Friday, August 19, 2022, due to Parkinson’s Disease.
He was born in Racine Wisconsin on June 18, 1939, to Paul Charles and Violet Belle (Johnson) Voelzke. He had an older brother, Richard Fred Voelzke, from Paul’s previous marriage. Richard’s mother Leona (Klotzbuecher) Johnson died giving birth to Richard in 1926. Baby Richard went to live with his maternal grandparents. Unfortunately, Bobbie and Richard would never meet.
During his early years, he was called Bobbie by all. His father worked as a regional manager and steamfitter for Johnson Service Company. As a result, they lived in many places throughout the United States including Wisconsin; Baton Rouge, Louisiana; Seattle, Washington; and Fairbanks, Alaska.
Bob attended grade school at White Center Heights in White Center, WA; Puget Sound Junior High School in Burien, WA; and Fairbanks High School in Alaska. He attended high school in Fairbanks until the last few months of his senior year. The family moved back to Seattle due to his father’s lung cancer treatment. He graduated in 1957 from Highline High School in Burien, Washington.
Devasted by his father’s death in August of 1957, he traveled on his Indian motorcycle to Los Angeles, California and ended up on Sunset Boulevard where he met and became friends with entertainer Art Linkletter. After a year in California, he returned home to his mother in Kent, Washington. He worked for the U.S. Post Office from 1958-1959.
He married Carol Jean Rockwell on March 5, 1961, at the First Methodist Church in Renton, Washington. Art Bottger and LaVonne Roth were the witnesses.
On July 15, 1961, Bob enlisted as a weapons control systems mechanic in the United States Air Force and was stationed at Lowry Air Force Base in Denver, Colorado and at Richards-Gebaur Air Force Base in Belton, Missouri. Airman 2nd Class Robert J. Voelzke learned to interpret data flow and theory of operation of the F-101 and F-102 Aircraft weapon control systems. He received the Air Force Good Conduct Medal on July 4, 1964, and an Honorable discharge on July 4, 1967.
Two of their daughters were born during their time in Belton, Missouri: Laura Jane was born in 1963 and Kalisa Jennell was born in 1965. Their third daughter, Tiffany Jean was born in 1980 in Burien.
After returning to the Seattle area in 1967, Bob, Carol, and their girls made their home in Burien where they purchased their home in 1968. They remained in this home until their illnesses became overwhelming and they moved into the Well Lived Life Adult Family Home on January 4, 2021. He remained there until his death. He had amazing care and died very peacefully.
Bob worked for Sears Roebuck Company in Seattle starting in 1965 for many years as a Technical Inspector, Receiver, and Shipper. In 1987, when the warehouse closed, he went to work for the Boeing Aerospace Company in Everett, as a store clerk. He retired from Boeing on August 31, 2001, and said it was the best job he ever had. He was a member of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers.
He also worked most summers of his adult life at Longacres Horse Racing Track in Tukwila until it closed in 1992. This job funded his life-long hobby of betting on the horses. He was extremely professional and responsible and almost always won. His nightly ritual was to study the Racing Form for the next day.
Family vacations were spent camping in Cle Elum and car trips to Disneyland, San Diego, Tijuana, Las Vegas, Tahoe, and every horse track on the west coast from Canada to San Diego.
Bob was also a lover and rescuer of all sorts of animals. He had 2 champion Chesapeake Bay Retrievers, rabbits, ducks, cats, dogs, and his favorite Jack Russell Terrier named Zeeza.
He was a man of many hobbies: weightlifting (think Arnold Schwarzenegger), day trips, camping, fishing, motorcycle riding, bartending, poker playing, coin collecting, and he was a huge Mariners fan.
Bob was greatly affected by the tragedy of 9/11. He and Carol started attending the Highline Christian Church in Burien where they were eventually baptized. They attended for many years.
Bob will be missed dearly by all who loved him. He is survived by his wife of 61 years Carol Jean and his 3 daughters and their families: Laura and Michael Wilson; Kalisa Hourie; Tiffany and Tim Yao. Grandchildren: Nicole Hourie; Brooke Hourie; Decklyn Yao; Maeve Yao. Great-grandchild Ava Jane Porras. He is also survived by 2 nieces and a grandniece. He was preceded in death by his grandson, Derek James Porras; brother, Richard Fred Voelzke Sr; and nephew Richard “Dick” Voelzke Jr.
Bob will be laid to rest next to his grandson Derek on September 10, 2022, at 2pm in the Rose Garden at Bonney-Watson Washington Memorial Park, 16445 International Blvd., SeaTac, WA 98188.
REST IN PEACE
You are not forgotten loved one
Nor will you ever be
As long as life and memory last
We will remember thee.
We miss you now, our hearts are sore
As time goes by, we miss you more,
Your loving smile, your gentle face
No one can fill your vacant place.
