Robert Henry Minkler, an 86-year-old resident of Sedro-Woolley, passed March 15, 2011, at The Mountain Glen Retirement. His family wants to sincerely thank the staff at Life Care of Skagit Valley, Mountain Glen Retirement and Skagit Valley Hospice for the attentive care, patience and support.

Bob was born in Montesano, Wash., on Jan. 23, 1925, third son with a younger sister of “C.V.” and Dorothea (Harm) Minker. When he was not yet 18 years old he enlisted into the US Navy. He served in the World War II, the Vietnam and Korean wars. He was very proud of his 30-year Naval service retiring as a Senior Chief Petty Officer in Oak Harbor. His military career brought him to many places around the world and The United States. He met the mother of his two children in the Philippines and raised them in California, Hawaii then Oak Harbor. In retirement he moved to Sedro-Woolley and married his longtime girlfriend, Annette Swanson Iverson, now married a few days short of 35 years.

Bob was a dedicated family man. He loved to cook, read and work crossword puzzles. He kept himself busy delivering flowers for his stepson’s business and shopping for needed grocery items to try a new recipe. He also loved to bake and deliver cookies to friends and family. He was a very intelligent man and always thrived to learn more. He was constantly reading even up until his last moments with us. He was sure to submit his Reader’s Dogest sweepstakes and his tax return even while feeling very weak and ill.

He is survived by his wife, Annette Minkler of Sedro-Woolley; daughters Dorothy Lubey and Jim Wood of San Diego, Chris Strand and Ron of Woodinville, stepsons Gary Iverson and Barb of Beaverton, Ore., Mark Iverson of Mount Vernon, Jay Iverson and Jean of Palouse, grandchildren Matt Brasseau and Jenny, Erin Brasseau, Alyssa Lubey, Noah Lubey of San Diego, Ca., Chelsey Guay, Lindsey Guay of Woodinville, Kelly Mumford and Jim of Beaverton, Chad Iverson of Beaverton, Matthew Iverson and Heidi of Coupeville, Kari Lee and Chip of Bellingham, Mimi Johnson and Scott of Coupeville, Jenny Iverson of Seattle, Nels Iverson of New Mexico, Anna Iverson of Palouse, and siblings, Delbert Minkler and Gladys of Grass Valley, Calif., Marie Stillman of Puyallup and eight great-grandchildren. He is preceded in death by stepson Gail Iverson of Coupeville and brother Alvin Minkler of Youngstown, Ohio.

Memorials may be made to the Gail E. Iverson “Circle of Friends” in care of Skagit Valley Hospital Foundation.

Services to be held at Hawthorn’s Funeral Home, 1825 East College Way, Mount Vernon, at 1 p.m. Sunday, March 20.