Robert Giddings died April 26, 2007 at Skagit Valley Hospital, after a hard fought battle with cancer. He was born Sept. 9, 1937 in Sabula, Iowa to Robert and Irma Giddings.
Bob was raised in Sabula, Iowa and graduated from high school there. As a boy he worked on farms in the country during the summer and even picked and sold blackberries to help his family. He always said “If the farmer didn’t have work, there was always thistles to cut.”
On Dec. 17, 1954 Bob joined the U.S. Navy in Des Moines, Iowa and went to Great Lakes, Ill., for boot camp. He continued on with the Navy to such duty stations as NTTC Norman, Okla., VF61 NAS Oceana, Va., VA 76 NSA Oceana, Va., NAS Alameda, Calif., Naval Station Argentina, Newfoundland, VT-2 NAAS Whiting Field, Milton, Fla., VP-31 NAS Moffett Field, Calif., VP-50 NAS North Island, San Diego, Calif., VA-122 NAS Lemoore, Calif., VP-1 NAS Whidbey, NATTC NAS Memphis, Tenn., VA-128 NAS Whidbey and in July of 1974 reported to VA-52 for his final tour of duty.
During his impressive professional career he received numerous awards and citations, among which were: 2 National Defense Service Medals, Strike-Flight Air Medal (fifth award), Vietnam Service Medal with 2 silver stars, Expert Pistol Medal, 2 Navy Unit Commendations, 4 Meritorious Unit Commendations, Republic of Vietnam Meritorious Unit Commendation (Gallantry Cross), the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Republic of Vietnam Meritorious Unit Commendation (Civil Action Medal), Good Conduct Medal (Fifth Award), Combat Action Ribbon and Cross of Gallantry Citation.
On Sept. 8, 1957 Bob and Janice May began their nearly 50-year marriage at the Calvary Lutheran Church in Sabula, Iowa. They were blessed with four sons and many friends throughout the military and civilian community.
After retiring from the Navy on July 28, 1976, Bob found several things to keep him busy, not the least of which was working as a firefighter on the Navy Crash Crew from 1977 to 1980.
Bob was an avid duck hunter and fisherman. He loved camping on Grandy Lake, he and his son Don would go up as much as two weeks early to find a good spot to fish. He was a good teacher; he taught his sons how to set up decoys and make duck blinds. He also taught them duck calls. This became a tradition and his sons looked forward to their outings each year. Bob also loved to work in his vegetable garden.
Bob is survived by his wife Jan at the family home in Oak Harbor; his mother Irma Giddings of Clinton, Iowa; along with his four sons, Daniel Lee Giddings, David Allan Giddings, Dean Earl Giddings and Donald Adam Giddings; nine grandchildren, Janice (Giddings) Wisdom, April (Giddings) Wade, Amanda Giddings, Ashley Giddings, Melissa Giddings, Emily Giddings, Joel Giddings, Valerie Giddings and Wesley Giddings; and one great-grandson, Christian Alexander Wade. He also leaves brothers Ronald “Butch” Giddings, Roger “Kiner” Giddings and Richard Giddings and sister Barbara Giddings Widder. Bob was preceded in death by his father, Robert Earl Giddings in 1995.
Visitation for Robert Giddings will be held at Burley Funeral Chapel on Friday, May 4, from noon to 5 p.m. A funeral service followed by military honors will begin at 11 a.m. Saturday, May 5, also at Burley Funeral Chapel, Oak Harbor.
