Robert “Bob” Ogata

06/09/1948 — 02/09/2017

From Kennewick, WA | Born in Saga Japan

Robert “Bob” Ogata

Robert F. Ogata, 68, died on February 9, 2017, in his Kennewick, WA, home in the presence of his family.  His “Celebration of Life” service will be held at the funeral home, Einan’s at Sunset (915 By-Pass Highway, Richland, WA 99352), at 2 p.m. on Saturday, March 4, 2017.

Bob was born in Saga, Japan, on June 9, 1948, to George and Fusae Ogata, and he moved with his family to Seattle in 1960.  He graduated from the University of Washington with two Bachelor of Science degrees:  Industrial Engineering and Mechanical Engineering.  However, he went to work as a petroleum engineer in Wyoming, first for Amoco Oil and then for Marathon Oil.  He especially enjoyed doing large, challenging projects at the Oregon Basin field near Cody, such as helping to automate the field and using an innovative technique with cross-linked polymers.

In 1976 Bob married high school English teacher, Laura Strand, in a mountain lodge near Cody, WY.  They lived in Powell, WY, for seven years, where their two daughters were born.  In 1983 the family moved to nearby Cody, and that year their son was born.  Some of Bob’s happiest and proudest days were those when his children were born, his daughters were married, and his two grandchildren were born.

In 1991 he decided to begin his own business, Signs Now, in Kennewick, WA.  He and his wife owned and managed Signs Now until they sold the business in 2013, and retired.  Bob was diagnosed with stomach cancer in 2015.  We extend a special thank you to those doctors and their staffs who diagnosed and/or tended him during treatments:  Dr. Pat Hamner, Dr. Somprak Boonpongmanee (Dr. Boon), and Dr. Basir Haque, all of the Tri-Cities, WA; and Dr. Bruce Lin of Virginia Mason Medical Center in Seattle.  As Bob became more incapacitated with cancer, he told his family, “I am not afraid of death as long as I have my family, ‘my circle of angels’, surrounding me.”

During the course of his life, Bob was involved in the Lutheran church and Columbia Center Rotary.  He was an avid fan of the Humane Society and anything having to do with animals.  His additional interests were all types of sports (including playing softball, coaching Little League, and rooting for the Green Bay Packers), technology, fishing, photography, mechanics, welding, drafting, building, and inventing.  In later years, he became very passionate about World War II history and politics.  Those who loved him remember him as a devoted husband and father, and someone who had integrity, humor, an admirable work ethic, generosity, reliability, and creativity.  He provided a lofty example for his children, and a “soft place to fall” for his wife.  We mourn him deeply, and will remember him with love and admiration all of our lives.

Bob is survived by his wife of forty years, Laura; his daughter, Kari (Neal) Barnhart, Richland, WA; his daughter, Brianne (Kostas) Petritis, Phoenix, AZ; his son, Matt Ogata, Kennewick, WA; two grandchildren, Eva and Nikolaos Petritis; and two step-grandchildren, Justin Barnhart and Sofia Marina Petritis.

In lieu of flowers, we ask that you give a memorial in Bob’s name to either the Benton Franklin Humane Society, the Shriners’ Hospital, or St. Jude’s Hospital.

    

Guestbook for

Robert “Bob” Ogata

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

PUBLIC ENTRY

Your guestbook entry will be visible to the public.

Call Now Button