Robert Elves

Robert Eugene Elves Robert died peacefully at home with his family on July 28, 2012. Bob was born April 21, 1932, in Sequim, WA, and lived in Washington State most of his life. He served in the U.S. Navy during the Korean War, from August 1950 until May 1954. He was honored with the Korean Service Medal (5 Bronze Service Stars) for his distinguished military service. He attended Central Washington University, Los Angeles College, and Long Beach University, studying psychology, architectural engineering, and business administration. He enjoyed starting small businesses, both for himself and for other people, until NCR hired him to design computer systems for retailers at a time when this technology was emerging. Because of poor health, Bob went into early retirement. He devoted the rest of his life to being a full-time loving husband and father. He was smart, funny, tolerant, hardworking, and incredibly canny about people, helping many of them find their own way. He is survived by his devoted wife of 58 years, Sheila L. Elves, to whom he proposed on their first date and married the very next day! He is also survived by his brother, Jim Elves; his son, Dr. Robert Elves, retired toxicologist, and his wife Jennifer of Satellite Beach, FL; his daughter Kathy Groff, family nurse practitioner; and her husband John of Simsbury, CT; his grandchildren, Sheila-Ann Sylvia, Kristin Elves, Emily Groff, Jeremy Groff, and Paris Jordanger; and three great-grandchildren, Dennis, Emma, and Loralye. A private service was held.