ROBERT E. KREIDER

1920 - 2018

April 25, 1920
January 13, 2018

Robert Eldon Kreider passed away peacefully in his sleep on January 13, 2018. He was 97 years old and had a very full life experience.

Bob was born April 25, 1920 in Porterville, California where he was raised with his two sisters, Dorothy and Helen (both since deceased). In 1941, he attended the University of California at Berkeley where he studied Chemistry, and upon graduation, immediately began working for the Standard Oil Company at their Richmond refinery. His career there spanned 41 years during which he became a senior chemist and pioneered work there as a water and air pollution expert.

Because he worked in a defense industry, his commission into the Navy was deferred until 1944 when he was assigned to the Section Base in San Diego. There he was given command of several vessels which at one point took him to the Bikini Islands in the South Pacific. The war ended shortly thereafter, but Bob remained in the Naval Reserve for several years in the Bay Area before being honorably released from service as a Lieutenant in 1946.

Bob met his first wife Frances in 1942 and married her in 1944 just prior to his serving in the Navy. The two settled in Berkeley, California and managed a household of six children: Phyllis (Wurscher, Merlyn), Paul (deceased, Carol Helzberg), Patti Ann (Kreider-Born, Roger), Jeanne, Bruce and Lynn (Koch, Chris). He taught his children the importance of hard work and attention to detail which were values passed on to him through his parents and their lineage of Mennonites from Pennsylvania. He was a quiet, gentle father as he worked diligently to provide for his family in the 50's and 60's.

In 1974, Francis died suddenly, and a new life chapter began for Bob after he married Margaret (Sage) in 1976 and they moved to Hiller Highlands in the Oakland Hills. Margaret was able to introduce Bob to a higher level of social engagement which included participating in golf, traveling throughout the globe, and doing extensive volunteer work at St. Clements Church on the building refurbishment committee.

After his retirement in 1982, Dad joined the Diablo Woodworkers and became skilled at turning bowls and woodworking. He also was able to fine tune his stamp and coin collections, and turn his attention back to photography.

In 1991, Bob and Margaret lost their home to the 'Great Firestorm' that scorched the Oakland and Berkeley hills. All possessions were lost pertaining to hobbies and family history. Fortunately, Margaret's daughter, Ronda (Montgomery, John), was able to provide loving assistance at this point of their lives as they rebuilt their home in Hiller Highlands. They continued to enjoy life there on many levels, particularly with their 13 grandchildren, until a car accident and subsequent illness took Margaret's life in 2012.

In 2012, Bob moved to Chandler's Square in Anacortes, Washington to be closer to his adult children and their families. It took a while for this native Californian to adjust to the cooler climate in Washington, but the warm care by his family and the attentive staff at Chandler's Square provided for a wonderful final chapter of his life story.

Bob will be buried in his home town of Porterville, California, in a private ceremony with his immediate family members. A celebration of life will occur at a later time.

Arrangements are in the care of Evans Funeral Chapel of Anacortes, WA.

To share a memory of Robert, please sign the online guest register at www.evanschapel.com