Robert James Siems

Robert James SIEMS Robert James "Bob" Siems June 21, 1920 to February 19, 2011. Bob was born to Henry and Caroline Siems in Minneapolis, Minnesota. As an "All Minneapolis" football star he attended the University of Minnesota to play football and obtain a degree in architecture. After his first year he was challenged by his architecture professor to either choose football or academics. Bob chose to excel in architecture. However, after the December 7, 1941 bombing of Pearl Harbor and being turned down for enlistment due to his poor eye sight, Bob quit his schooling a year short of graduation to become a draftsman at the Boeing Company in Seattle to support the war effort. He married his high school sweetheart Jeane Veronna Barrett on February 3, 1942. Initially working on the Boeing S-307 Stratoliner and B-17 Flying Fortress programs, over the next 44 years at Boeing Bob's professional career grew along with the company, culminating in being the chief project engineer for the initial production of the Boeing 747. As a licensed professional engineer, Bob also served as the Boeing representative to the Strategic Air Command headquarters in Omaha, Nebraska, and as the director of engineering for the Boeing Hydrofoil program. However, as president of the Boeing Management Association his role playing Santa Claus at the annual Boeing Christmas party was one of his most cherished contributions. When he retired in 1986 his plan was to spend an idyllic retirement enjoying traveling with Jeane and playing golf. Those plans changed with the death of his eldest son Robert James Siems II in 1989 and his wife Jeane in 1991. For the next 20 years Bob played the role of the dedicated grandfather to his grandchildren, attending their sporting events, graduations and weddings. He is leaving a huge hole in the extended Siems family. Bob is survived by his sister Carol Boyd of Cincinnati, Ohio, son William James Siems of Tacoma, Washington, daughter Patti Jean Ellis of Port Orchard, Washington, nine grandchildren and eleven great-grandchildren. The family plans a private celebration of his life after which Bob's ashes will be taken to Hawaii to join those of his son Bob and wife Jeane. If you care to make a charitable donation on behalf of Bob please donate to Seattle Children's Hospital Foundation, PO Box 5371 / S-200, Seattle, WA 98145-5005. Please see Online Guestbook at: www.legacy.com/seattletimes