Robert Kenneth Alexander

July 31, 1945 - Sept. 22, 2014

Bob was born in Oakland to Mildred and Cecil Alexander. He served in the U.S. Navy during the Vietnam War and went on to work at Mare Island Naval Shipyard in Vallejo as a Pipe Fitter, a Supervisory Radiological Control Technician, and finally in the Planning and Estimating Division. He retired early with over 29 years of service when Mare Island closed.

Bob had two sons, Rob and Michael, with his fist wife, Ann Hernandez. He was always so proud of their accomplishments and their service and love to others, especially their families.

In 1977, he married Carol Vining Gabrysiak and brought together a beautiful blended family of Rob, Mike and now daughter, Kris.

He and Carol spent their first 10 years in retirement traveling, fishing and having fun. They moved from Vacaville in 2002 and purchased their forever home in Chicago Park, just outside of Grass Valley. He always said that he had found his slice of heaven there and would never leave.

Unfortunately, that was interrupted in 2007 with the beginnings of multiple health problems. Bob spent the past four years battling kidney failure, home hemodialysis and a host of other medical problems. He always thought the he could conquer just one more thing, but with the outlook of further complications on the near horizon, he knew his time on this earth was over.

With the help of Hospice of the Foothills in Grass Valley, Bob was able to rest peacefully at home surrounded by his family. His great big loving, courageous heart stopped on Sept. 22.

Bob leaves behind his beloved children, Rob (Darlene) of Benicia, Michael of Vacaville, Kris (Ray) Koopen of Alaska; grandchildren, Emma, Robert Thomas, Lucia and Solomon; sister, Shirley Dixon of Fairfield, and many nieces and nephews. And finally, his devoted wife, Carol, who will try to muddle throught this life without him.