Robert C. Gilardi

Bob Gilardi passed away Sunday evening after a short bout with kidney cancer, two days after his 43rd wedding anniversary, his wife Jacqueline reported.Bob was born in Zurich, Switzerland in 1922, and emigrated to the U.S. that same year with his parents on the steamship France, passing through Ellis Island on their way to Queen Anne Hill in Seattle, where he grew up. Bob graduated with a B.S. and an M.S. in Chemical Engineering from the University of Washington, was commissioned as an officer in the US navy and served on submarine USS Baya during WWII. After the war, he became a helium specialist with Airco Industrial Gasses, working for them in Southern California and New Jersey. He served in the US Navy reserve with the Supervisor of Salvage, putting his experience with helium to use for diving rescue. After retiring, he became a consultant for the Chlorine Institute. Bob and his wife Jackie returned to the Seattle area seven years ago, building a home on Eld Inlet, where he was involved with the Apheti Association. Bob was a member of the Sigma Nu Fraternity at U of W, the Episcopal Church, and an avid gardener and sportsman.In addition to his wife, Bob is survived by six children: Connie Wilson of West Seattle, John of Port Townsend, Monique Peterson of San Rafael, Calif., Bruce of New York, N.Y., James of Davis, Calif. and Michelle of Nairobi, Kenya; and three grandchildren.There will be no service. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Hospice.