Robert Douglas Wardell, chief petty officer, USN (Ret.), 88, 30-year resident of Oak Harbor, died at Providence Hospital, Pacific Campus, in Everett, Sunday, June 15, 2003.

Mr. Wardell was born in Seattle Dec. 6, 1914, to Charles Chester Wardell and Agnes (Ton) Wardell. He moved with his family to Santa Monica, Calif., as a young boy. He attended schools in that area. On Oct. 16, 1938, Robert married Mary Jensen in Oxnard, Calif. Enlisting in the US Navy, Mr. Wardell served 26 years, and retired as a chief petty officer. His duty stations included Saudi Arabia, Asia, Minnesota, Rhode Island, Hawaii and Chula Vista, Calif. He moved from Chula Vista to Oak Harbor in 1976. Robert had been a custodian for the Chula Vista School District for seven years.

Robert had been a lifeguard in Hawaii. At the Vanderzicht Pool in Oak Harbor, he started a fund-raiser for a free swim day. He was a volunteer at Whidbey Island Naval Air Station hospital; was a member of VFW Post No. 7392 and was involved in local parades with the organization; he was a member of the CPO Club; was a member of the Whidby Chapter No. 15 F&AM and the Masonic Lodge in Chula Vista. He was an ardent swimmer; he also enjoyed RV’ing and snowbirding.

Robert is survived by his wife Mary, in Oak Harbor; his two daughters, Karen Wardell of Encinitas, Calif. and Janet Parra and husband David of Imperial Beach, Calif.; one granddaughter, Jennifer Marie Parra, of Imperial Beach, Calif.; two sisters-in-law, Joan Wardell of Fresno, Calif., and Agnes Mahron of El Cajon, Calif.; four nieces, Georgeanne Barre and husband David of Ukiah, Calif., Mary Wight and husband Bill of Alta Loma, Calif., Stacy Levy of El Cajon, Calif., and Janice Gifford of San Diego; also, one nephew, Kenneth Mahron of El Cajon, Calif. He was preceded in death by two brothers, Frederick and William.

A memorial service will be Saturday, June 28 at 10 a.m. at Burley Funeral Chapel, Rev. Fred Renfroe, CRC, USN (Ret.), officiating. Full military honors will be under the auspices of the Whidbey Island Naval Air Station honor guard. Arrangements by Burley Funeral Chapel.