C. Robert Lagergren C.Robert Lagergren passed away at home surrounded by family and friends May 11, 2010. Bob, the son of Erik Sigfrid Lagergren, a Swedish immigrant and Alice Lagergren, was born in St.Paul, Minnesota on November 21, 1922. He grew up with his only sister, Jean, in Bremerton, Wa. Bob excelled in science, graduating near the top of his class and receiving the school’s Science Award. He enjoyed hiking in the Olympics, astronomy, and sailing as well as building radios and electronic devices. Bob entered into his study of Physics at WSC in Pullman and received his Bachelor of Science degree in 1944. His education was interrupted by his service in the Navy, where he served in the South Pacific repairing electronics. He joked he was the only college graduate on the ship, a fact he didn’t advertise. After his naval service, he returned to WSC where he received his Masters degree in Physics and met the love of his life, ‘Ginny’ Edsall, Following their marriage the couple moved to the University of Minnesota where Bob was awarded his Phd in Physics. While in Minnesota, their family grew with the birth of their son Ken and daughter Alice. Bob was offered his first job with GE and the family moved to Richland, WA in 1956. The family grew again with the birth of their daughter, Linda. Bob’s career path continued with Battelle, Rockwell, and Westinghouse. He supervised the isotope mass-spectrometry operation at the Pacific NW Laboratory for 33 years, where he built four custom instruments for environmental monitoring. During his career he wrote and presented papers establishing him as a world renowned expert in his field. Bob and Ginny’s true passion began in 1956 when the two became charter members of Trinity United Protestant Church, now called Shalom UCC. Bob served the church locally in every position there, sometimes more than once, was the church’s first moderator, and was an active participant in the state conference and the national delegation. He was the moderator of the UCC Pacific Northwest conference in 1978 and 1996. Bob also served on the Richland Civil Rights Commission. One of Bob and Ginny’s favorite jobs at the church was that of greeters, and everyone who came was sure to receive a hug and a smile, as well as a nametag which Bob would make. Their devotion and love together sustained the church through some difficult times in its growth. After Ginny’s passing, the church became the center of Bob’s life, sustaining him through the rest of his life. The family would like to thank his Shalom family, especially Gerry Jensen for help caring for him in his home. Bob always kept his family first in his life, and made sure that his children were able to realize their dreams. Without his support, each of his children and grandchildren could never have achieved their educations. Bob was preceeded in death by his wife, Ginny in 1998, and his daughter Alice in 2008. He is survived and loved by his son, Ken Lagergren Debi Sovy of Richland, daughter Linda Lagergren of Snoqualmie husband Neil, sons Josh and Lars, grand-children Frankie Scholz, Liam Scholz, son-in-law Scottie Scholz , Boise, sister Jean Kachel, Bremerton, niece Christie Newbill, Spokane Benita, nephews Gary Newbill Karen, Bob Newbill Becky, Swedish family, Lasse, Eva-Britt, Kim and Marie Wallin. A celebration of Bob’s life is planned for this Saturday, May 22, at 1:00pm at Shalom UCC, 505 McMurray, Richland. Contributions may be made to the Shalom building fund or the charity of your choice.