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KETELSEN -- Robert Ketelsen, age 71, died Saturday, March 18, 2006 surrounded by family after a short but valiant battle with brain cancer. He was born February 2, 1935 in Manhatten, NY to Helen and Johannes Ketelsen, and grew up in Rifton, NY. Bob was a three-year resident of Port Angeles, WA after living in Albuquerque, NM for 27 years. In 1952, following his graduation from Kingston High School, Bob enlisted in the U.S. Navy. He attended boot camp and Electronic Technician's "A" school in Great Lakes, IL. His duty stations included the USS Philippine Sea (CVA-47), USS Carter Hall (LSD-3), Mobile Technical Units 7 and 10, Yokosuka, Japan, Guam and various shore assignments around the United Sates. Bob retired, after 20 years of honorable service, as an Electronics Technician Master Chief Petty Officer. During his career he received numerous awards and decorations. Following his military service, he worked in classified defense industry electronics for the BDM Corporation in upstate New York and then transferred to Albuquerque. Upon retirement from BDM, he went to work for SAIC. These jobs took him around the world until he retired a third time in 2004. Bob's many interests included coaching and officiating Little League Baseball, two decades of crewing for the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta, camping and fishing, wood crafting, boating and listening to classical music. Most recently he was a member of the Port Angeles Power Squadron and the Port Angeles Yacht Club. Robert was preceded in death by his father and mother and his beloved yellow labs, Bart and Anton. He is survived by his wife, Dolores, of Port Angeles, WA; his sister, Wallis (Wally) and Bob Schneider of Columbus, NC; a son and daughter in-law, Allan and Tiffany Ketelsen of Rockwall, TX; step-children and spouses, Deborah and Arthur Thomas of Albuquerque, NM; Daniel and Dawn Guenzi of Glendive, MT; Diane Guenzi-Johnson of Highland Heights, KY; Denise and Larry Bekkedahl of Vancouver, WA, and his brother in-law, Don Walton of Santa Fe, NM. Robert and Dolores have 17 grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren, which were the light of his life. Memorial Services will be held at the Queen of Angels Catholic Church on March 21, 2006 at 11:00 a.m. in Port Angeles, WA and Sunrise Funeral Options, 7601 Wyoming NE, Albuquerque, NM 87109 on March 25, 2006 at 11:00 a.m. Memorials: Hospice of Clallum County, P.O. Box 2014, Port Angeles, WA 98362 or the American Cancer Society.
        Published on: Sun March 26, 2006