Robert Welsh

Robert Christopher Welsh, 66, died peacefully at his home in Port Orchard of natural causes on January 3, 2012.  He was born December 30, 1945 in Denver, Colorado to Robert & Mary (Kruplak) Welsh.   He married Kathy A. Cheyne March 4, 1967 in Colma, CA.  He graduated from St. Mary’s High School in Colorado Springs, CO in 1964 and took college level courses and other military training while serving his country in the US Navy.  Robert retired in 2008 as a Marine Machinery Mechanic Leader at Naval Subase Bangor after twenty years.  He also retired as a Machinist Mate Senior Chief E-8 with the U. S. Navy, Submarine Service earning the National Defense Service Ribbon, two Navy Unit Commendation awards, Five Good Conduct Medals, a Meritorious Unit Commendation, two Navy Expeditionary Medals, two Sea Service Deployment Ribbons and three Navy Achievement Medals.  He enjoyed fishing, cooking, reading, playing guitar, gardening and spending time with his family.  Robert was a member of key Peninsula Baptist church in Vaughn, WA, and U.S. Submarine Veterans.  He was also a Cub Scout Den Leader. Surviving are wife Kathy; sons Matthew (Ana Torrijos Figueroa) of Port Orchard and William (Miroslava) Welsh of Boynton Beach, FL; daughter Kristie (Eldon) Welsh-Walter of Olympia; mother  Mary Welsh of Colorado Springs, CO; brothers Richard (Tracy) of Colorado Springs, CO & Michael (Vickie) Welsh of Castlerock, CO; sister Linda Welsh of Colorado Springs, CO; grandchildren Nathan, Emily, Justin Walter & Danna Welsh-Torrijos; extended family Ricky & Cari, Brandon & Sadie, Ryan & Rachel, Melinda & Jared Welsh, & Jillian Shrader (Welsh) and their families. Preceded in death by father Robert, uncles Donald, James & Richard Welsh and Mack & John Kruplak.  Celebration of Life Service at 2:30pm on Friday, January 13, 2012 at Rill’s Life Tribute Center, with visitation on Thursday, January 12th from 1:00 to 4:30 pm.  Donations may be made in his name to The American Heart Association, 1710 Gilbreth Rd, Burlingame, CA, 94010-1795 or www.heart.org .