Posted by Terry Powers on November 22, 2022:

Robert BRADLEY On November 21, Robert (Bob) Louis Bradley passed away joining his beloved wife Bette. Born into a military family, raised in San Antonio, he graduated from West Point in 1949. He served 32 years as an Armor officer, in the US, Germany, Korea, and Vietnam. The West Point motto of "duty, honor, and country" was his touchstone. He had an easygoing personality and deep catholic faith. Bob met and married Bette in 1951 in Regensburg, Germany. They raised four children, moving over 25 times, settling in Washington. The Colonel and Bette retired to Steilacoom, he taught part-time, served on the Town Council and enjoyed traveling, golf and competitive bridge. Dad supported his children and grandchildren in all of their interests. In 2006, they moved to Patriots Landing, and were married 58 years before Bette's passing. Bob is survived by children: Elisabeth, Katherine, Clay, John; grandchildren: Clay, Alicia, Rae, Ian. Our thanks to Patriots Landing and their exceptional retirement community. Services will be at 1:00 p.m., December 10, Patriot's Landing. Published in The Seattle Times on Dec. 4, 2011 Spouse Bette Simpson BRADLEY May 19, 1925 ~ November 27, 2009 After being surrounded by her family during a final struggle with a weakened heart, Bette Bradley passed away peacefully on the day after Thanksgiving. Born in Seattle of Canadian parents, her character was shaped early as a teenager by the loss of her parents. Her father died after a brief illness and was buried on Christmas Eve, 1944. Her mother's health declined rapidly, and she died three years later. Rather than becoming bitter, those early challenges strengthened her, and she grew into a balanced and determined young woman. She had a certainty of conviction, leavened by a sense of humor, that a person's life should be focused on two goals: you do the best you can, and be kind to others. That meant you worked after school if your mother couldn't; your deaf brother went to Gallaudet University, not to work in a print shop; and you put yourself through college and became self-sufficient. Her education was centered around Seattle, graduating from Broadway High School and the University of Washington. As a member of the Kappa Alpha Theta sorority, she formed lifelong friendships. Her love of travel and seeing new things started after college. After working for two years, Bette and sorority sister Lolly Noonan traveled the US (including Cuba). They worked in Florida when money ran low, stayed with friends and relatives along the East coast, and ended up in New York City. There they decided to join the Army Special Services, which took her to Regensburg, Germany for two years. It was there, in 1951, she met and married a young Lieutenant from Texas, Bob Bradley, and started her life as an Army wife. She was the linchpin of the family, making everything work during the long absences of her military husband. Bette made the frequent moves (25) seem normal; each new post was an opportunity to make new friends and see new places. She loved being a mother and grandmother, ready with advice and support, savvy enough to wait to be asked. After a 30-year absence, she returned to her beloved Northwest when the family settled in Steilacoom after Bob's retirement. She picked up with childhood and Theta friends, had a daily subscription to the PI, supported her children in launching their lives, and delighted in each grandchild. For the first time, she had the opportunity to become involved in her community for more than a short time. She served on the Steilacoom Historical Museum Association Board, was co-editor for 15 years of its Quarterly and co-editor of the book Town on the Sound. A staunch Catholic, she attended mass at the historic Immaculate Conception Church and helped with its extensive interior restoration. She valued her membership in the Catholic Woman's Club, serving as its Vice President and President. In 2005, she and Bob moved to the Patriots Landing community. She is survived by her husband of 58 years, Bob; four children: Katherine (Portland), Clay (Bothell), John and Elisabeth (Boise), and four grandchildren: Clay and Alicia (Bothell) and Rae and Ian (Boise). Memorial services will be held at Patriots Landing, 1600 Marshall Circle, DuPont, 1:30-3:00 pm, Saturday, December 12th. The family suggests donation be made to the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network (http://www.pancan.org), or a favorite charity. Published in The Seattle Times from Dec. 6 to Dec. 7, 2009

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