10/16/1934 – 1/15/2020
Bob and Pat Oberle
Robert (Bob) Oberle passed away unexpectedly on January 15th at his home in Woodinville, Washington.
Bob was born in Jeffers, MN, to Lee and Margaret (Uhlenhopp) Oberle on October 16, 1934. He moved to Cedar Falls, IA, with his family and graduated from high school in 1952. Bob enlisted in the U.S. Navy and served during the Korean War as a naval corpsman stationed in Oakland, CA. He also served in the Naval Reserves after active duty.
He married Patricia Severson on July 11, 1953. They lived for 2 years in Oakland, CA, and after Bob’s active duty term was complete, moved back home to Waterloo and Cedar Falls, IA, where they started their family. Bob and Pat shared their love and lives until 2007 when Pat passed of cancer.
Bob worked for the John Deere Company in Waterloo, IA, from 1955 through 1969. During that time, Bob also obtained his college degree at the University of Northern Iowa. In 1969, Bob took a job with Ansul Fire Protection in Marinette, WI, and the family made their home in Menominee, MI. During his time at Ansul, Bob enjoyed a successful career overseeing many product enhancements and innovations. He was a graduate of the Harvard Business School, Advanced Management Program. Bob retired as Vice President of Operations in June of 1992. Bob also served as President and a Director of the Menominee Chamber of Commerce.
In retirement, Bob lived in Lamberton, Minnesota; Alamo, Texas; and Estero, Florida. In April 2017, he moved to Woodinville, WA, to be closer to his eldest son, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He resided at Fairwinds- Brittany Park where he made some very good friends over the past 3 years.
Bob is preceded in death by his wife, Pat, and his parents, Lee and Margaret Oberle, as well as his very special Aunt Mary and Uncle Benn Feldick. He is survived by his 3 children (Scott (Jayne) Oberle, Steve Oberle, and Sonja Oberle), 3 granddaughters ( Heather (Jade) Smith, Erin (Daniel) Parshall and Tanya (Mel Morales) Oberle), 4 great-grandchildren (Jonah and Nora Smith and Cameron and Audrey Parshall), and his very close friends, Bill and Kim Merholtz.
Bob was a fun loving, welcoming soul and will be greatly missed by his family and many friends as well as anyone who ever had a friendly chat, a deep business discussion or raised a glass of Scotch with him. Cheers to a life well lived!
The family will have a private celebration of Bob’s life at a future date and request that if anyone wishes to remember Bob beyond thoughts and prayers, they do so through acts of kindness or donations to a charity of their choosing.