Robert Clifford 'Bob' Votendahl, born October 4, 1920, died of cancer at the Chaplaincy at Hospice on December 30, 2006. Bob was born at LaPorte, Minnesota, to Ida and Clifford Votendahl and was one of 13 children.

He was raised in Bemikiji, Minnesota, and Union, Oregon, where he was a stellar athlete, participating in all sports. He joined the Navy and served overseas during World War II and was honorably discharged after the war in 1946. He attended Whitman College on a baseball scholarship before becoming employed with the Atomic Energy Commission as a Courier and a Communications Specialist for the Security Division from 1950 to 1978. He then worked for Exxon Nuclear for two years before retiring. Bob loved golf and devoted much of his spare time assisting local golf professionals in the sales, repair and building golf clubs. He also played baseball and softball. Bob was recognized as one of the best softball pitchers in the Northwest from 1948 to 1963 with his teams winning state championships and participating at the national level.

Bob married Rhea 'Dee' Farnworth and they had a son, Doug. After Dee's death in 1980, Bob married his good friend, Dorothy Popkes, who he was absolutely devoted to, and they were married for 23 years. Bob was a resident of the Tri-Cities for 56 years.

Bob is survived by his wife Dorothy; his brothers Glenn Ruth of Burbank, WA; Kenneth of Montana; Jerry Mikki of Walla Walla, WA; Richard 'Dick' of Montana; sisters, Darlene 'Dody' Dick of Portland, OR; and stepdaughter, Judi Burnette of El Paso, TX. He had many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nephews and nieces. Bob was predeceased by his parents; former wife Rhea 'Dee,' his son Doug, brother Andy Anderson; sisters Betty Curtis, Joyce Wageman, Audrey Spencer; two siblings who died in infancy; nephews Danny Votendahl, Andy Curtis, Mike Curtis and Theron Votendahl, niece Glenda Votendahl and his stepdaughter Robin Coyne Currier.

The memorial will be held at Einan's Funeral Home in Richland, Washington on January 12, 2007, at 11 a.m. Memorial contributions may be made to the Chaplaincy at Hospice.