Robert Routh

Robert W. Routh Sept. 18, 1919 - Apr. 18, 2010 Resident of Livermore "Bob" passed away peacefully on April 18, 2010, at the age of 90, surrounded by family. He was the 2nd son of James & Caroline Routh, born in New York, raised in San Diego, and lived the last 53 years in Livermore. Bob, along with his brother James, attended UC Berkeley and were members of the Phi Tau fraternity. Bob earned his degree in biochemistry and did graduate work prior to working in the chemistry labs at Standard Oil in Point Richmond, CA where he met his future wife, Laura Cook. They married on March 6, 1943. Bob then worked for Cutter Laboratories in Emeryville as head of the department manufacturing penicillin. Later he headed the department making the polio vaccine. In 1957 Bob joined the Lawrence Livermore Laboratory and retired in 1984 after 27 years A devoted, loving husband and father, Bob enjoyed spending time with his family, no matter what the event or activity. He loved working with his hands and remodeled every family home, often with his father-in-law, Marshall H. Cook. Bob also became an excellent ceram-icist, perfecting the art of Raku. Bob enjoyed sharing his love of the high mountains of the Pacific Northwest during family vacations, camping and fishing. He joined a group of fellow backpacking enthusiasts, the "Yuks," for annual backpacking trips in the high Sierra Mountains. Bob is survived by his wife, Laura Cook Routh, daughters Susan Routh Bowman of Nashville, TN, Kacy Routh of Livermore; grandchildren Brandy Kwan of Castro Valley, Tracy Lautenslager of the UK, Robert Lautenslager of Alameda, and nine great grandchildren: Gabrielle Blasquez of Livermore, Nick Reiner of Chico and Camille, Mason, Ian, Natalie, Alex, Abby and Maggie Kwan of Castro Valley. Friends and family are invited to a life celebration in Bob's honor on Saturday, May 8, 2010 at 2:00 pm at the Unitarian Universalist Church on Vasco Road in Livermore.