Robert Andrew "Bob" Carle

1925 - 2016

Robert Andrew "Bob" Carle, completed a full and long life when he passed away April 7, 2016. Born at home in Bartlesville on April 30, 1925, he was the youngest of six children of William W. and Mary W. (Brinkman) Carle. When he was a young boy, his father passed away and Bob took a job as a paperboy to help the family out. He attended St. John school and was a 1943 graduate of College High School. He then joined the Air Force (Army Air Corps) where he served as the radio operator on a B-29 bomber during WWII. After his discharge, he attended Oklahoma State University, thanks to the GI Bill, where he received a master's degree.
In 1951 he met the love of his life, Rose Womack, in her hometown of Iola, Kansas, and married her on April 26, 1952. They began their married life in Bartlesville where they raised two children and were married for nearly 64 years at his death. Bob loved to fish and most of their family vacations were spent on a lake, giving his children many happy memories and good stories to tell. They can to this day repeat funny stories from fishing trips and family gatherings from before they were even born, having been told them so often as children, and continuing his story-telling legacy.
Bob was employed as a patent engineer by Phillips Petroleum Company until his retirement in 1985. During retirement, he remained active with volunteer work at St. John Church, Mary Martha Outreach, Bartlesville Little Theatre and other organizations. He was the longest-serving member of Knights of Columbus Council 1302, having been a member for 73 years, and was also a member of the Knights of the Holy Sepulchre.
He was well known for his gardening prowess with both flowers and vegetables, and always had a kind word for everyone. He was a wonderful husband as well as a loving father and grandfather, always eager to see his children and grandchildren in games and performances, and he encouraged them in furthering their education. He could fix almost anything, and built several treasured pieces of furniture. He enjoyed playing bridge and poker with his friends and family, and the frequent family get-togethers usually included a spirited round of bridge. He loved dogs, and trained his dogs Cantor and Chip to do feats that have become legendary to his grandchildren.
He is survived by his wife, Rose; one son, Bill and wife Valerie of Lee's Summit, Missouri; one daughter, Colette Pipkin and her husband, Don, of Owasso; two grandchildren, Jocelyn Pipkin and Nathaniel Pipkin, both of Owasso, and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his brothers, Joe, Fred and Leo Carle, and his sisters, Lucy Gibson and Lela Henderson.
A rosary will be said Wednesday, April 13, at 7 pm at Walker Brown Funeral Home, and the funeral will be Thursday, April 14, at 10 am at St. John Catholic Church. Donations may be made to St. John School or the Alzheimer's Association.
Online condolences for the family may be left at www.walkerbrownfuneralhome.com