Robert Adler Blumenthal

Blumenthal, Robert Adler
October 8, 1928 - October 23, 2010
Robert Adler Blumenthal passed away on October 23, 2010 at the age of 82 at the University of Washington Hospital in the company of his loving wife. A loving husband, father and mentor to many, he had an insatiable hunger for life. He loved photography, was a dedicated outdoorsman who enjoyed hiking and sailing into his late-sixties, and was a lifetime student who read widely on history, music, art and business. Always up for a good time and good food, he shared his interests with family and friends at every opportunity. He is survived by his wife Patty, children, Marti, Tom and Jim, son-in-law Dan Blatt, daughters-in-law Lisa and Yvonne and grandchildren Dexter, Connie and Reece, dear family friends Mike and Betty Millington and their children Robert and Ann, and nephew Don Walter and his wife Abby and their daughters Jordan and Megan.
He, together with his younger sister Peggy Ann Walter, was the fourth generation of his family to be born in Los Angeles. He arrived on October 8, 1928 to parents Marion Adelaide Adler and Maurice Ullmann Blumenthal. He graduated from Los Angeles High School in 1946, and from UCLA/ROTC as a Lieutenant, First Class, US Navy, in 1950. Bob and Patty met in kindergarten at Carthay Center School, attending LA High School and four years of UCLA together. Across the street from Carthay Center School was the Episcopal church where they were later married, on December 20, 1955.
Less than a month after graduation, Bob was ordered aboard a ship, bound for the Korean War, on which he served until 1953. Upon his return to Los Angeles in the Naval Reserve, he joined the family clothing business, Blumenthal Manufacturing, where he worked until he left to start his own company, Short Stuff, Inc. Concurrently with starting Short Stuff, he attended the Naval War College (1964) and qualified in submarines earning a set of Dolphins. Holding the rank of Lieutenant Commander, he was honorably discharged in the early 1970s.
Following his business career, he returned to school and earned a Ph.D. in Organizational Behavior from the University of Washington. He moved to Seattle, WA in 1980 to become a professor at Seattle Pacific University and later the University of Washington, from which he retired in 2003. He was popular among his students, many of whom stayed in contact following graduation, and was a mentor and fierce advocate for those in whom he believed. Students were always welcome in the Blumenthal household and many visited regularly for dinner and a chat with the professor, which provided him great satisfaction. He took great pride in the accomplishments of his children and grandchildren. We will dearly miss the Renaissance man who was our husband, father and friend.
A gathering to celebrate Bob's life will be held in Washington state, on April 2, 2011 at a place still to be determined.
In lieu of flowers, if you are so inclined, donations may be made to the Nephrology Research Fund/Diabetic Kidney Disease in memory of Professor Robert A. Blumenthal at the University of Washington, UW Medicine Advancement Office, Campus Box 358045, Seattle, WA 98195. Checks can be made payable to UW Foundation.