Robert T. Robb

1935 - 2016

On Nov. 7, 2016, Our Heavenly Father got one of his feisty children returned to him. Robert T. Robb died after 11 years on oxygen, battling asbestos lung disease and COPD. He died at home under the tender care of Providence Hospital Hospice at 81 years old. It was a peaceful death. He will be cremated and interred in the Pioneer Section of the Anchorage Memorial Park Cemetery. No services are planned at this time. Bob hated funerals.
Robert was born the second son of James W. and Grace E. Robb in Fort Scott, Kan., on July 3, 1935. As an overactive child, he suffered a permanent injury to his left arm but never felt he was handicapped. His father was Air Force, so from an early age they moved often. From 1951-1953 Bob experienced living on Elmendorf Air Force Base in Anchorage, and fell in love with Alaska. He was able to return to Alaska, on his own, in 1956, and joined his older brother, William J. Robb, in Fairbanks. Bob went to work on Gold Dredge # 6 in Ester, Alaska. When it closed down for the winter, he moved to Anchorage and became a Security Guard for Federal Electric. At this time he met and married Faye Hansen at Holy Family Cathedral in Anchorage, Alaska. This was 1959.
Robbie's next employment step was becoming a Teamster, then Warehouse Foreman for the White Alice Communications Project for 20 years. During this time he and Faye had and raised three wonderful daughters: Teresa, Renee' and Roberta. The family would spend summers Commercial fishing halibut and pot shrimping out of Homer, Alaska. Following that, Bob worked on building the Trans-Alaska Pipeline at pump station #6 on the Yukon River. When that project was complete, he became the Owner/ Operator of Alaska Flip'n Fin Taxidermy, who specialized in mounting fish. Five years later, they sold that business to start a sign engraving shop: B & F Nameplates. Also at this time, they became specialized foster parents for children at API. Upon selling B & F Nameplates in 1985, they retired and spent winters traveling in the "South 48."
Bob's other interests and hobbies included bowling (at least two leagues every year), playing cards, working in his shop, hunting, traveling and white zinfandel wine.
He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Faye E. Robb; two daughters, Renee' Young (Brady) of Arizona, and Roberta Robb (Eric) of Anchorage; and grandson, Brandon Young (Caiti) of Eagle River, Alaska. He has an uncle named after him, Robert L. Robb (Janice); and aunts, Irene Hood (Allen) and Forestine Goodbody, all of Kansas. There are many nieces and nephews here in Anchorage and scattered throughout the "South 48."
Robert was preceded in death by his father, James W. Robb; his mother, Grace E. Robb; and a daughter, Teresa M. Robb. There is a brother, William J. Robb, who may be deceased because he disappeared from Anchorage in February 1972 and has not been heard from since: his fate is unknown.
Bob was a very special and good man who had many friends. He loved to tell a good story and usually kept us all laughing. His wife says, "I have lost the love of my life, my Buddy and Best Friend! RIP."
Arrangements are with Janssen's Evergreen Memorial Chapel.