Carl Robert Bob Qualheim age 97, beloved husband, father, grandfather passed away October 1, 2010, at Richland Rehabilitation Center after a courageous battle with illness and old age. He remained a good and kind and gentle man to the end.

Bob was a descendant of Norwegian pioneers who settled in Bremerton WA. There he was born to Nils and Lillian Holt Qualheim on August 16, 1913. After attending the University of Washington, he worked at the Bremerton Naval Shipyard during World War II and met Frances Murphy at a big-band dance. They were married in 1937 and remained married until her death, just short of their 50th wedding anniversary. From Bremerton Bob and Frances moved to Denver CO and then Richland WA in 1947. Although he loved the mountains and trees, Bob came to have a real love for Richland, with its desert and wide-open spaces. He enjoyed a distinguished work career as a Nuclear Engineer for the Atomic Energy Commission. In 1974 he retired as Deputy Director of the Research and Development Department for AEC. He was very proud of the accomplishments made at the Hanford Reservation.

Bob attributed his long life to good genes and Golf! Besides being an avid golfer, he enjoyed gardening, photography, fishing, reading and traveling. He will be remembered as a generous and compassionate man, a hard worker, a man of integrity, a family man, a great dad and grandpa, a friend, our hero.

He was preceded in death by his parents, two sisters and a brother and his first wife Frances Qualheim.

In 1992 Bob married Beulah Cole, and they enjoyed eighteen years of marriage. He will be greatly missed by Beulah and her family; and his five children, Bernie of Gig Harbor, Marjorie Dan Haggard, Richland, Rosemary Guse, Richland, Jim Margo Qualheim, Richland, and Jane Qualheim, Richland; thirteen grandchildren and eleven great grandchildren.

A celebration of his life will be held on Wednesday, October 6, at 3:00 pm at Einans Event Center.

In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society, The Arthritis Foundation or charity of your choice.

The children of Bob Qualheim wish to commend the Richland Rehab Center--it became his home and the caregivers, his friends. We will be forever indebted to the employees especially Eva Pineda for their excellent care, and the kindness and gentleness shown to our Dad.

Rest in Peace, Dad. We’ll love you forever.