Robert D. (Bob) Ladd of Bellevue passed away at age 97 on January 23, 2016. He was born on December 16, 1918 in Lyndonville, VT, and grew up in Greenfield, MA.

Bob graduated Duke University in 1941 and began a career that was soon interrupted by World War II, in which he served as a Navy officer and received a Bronze Star for bravery in battle.

After the war Bob joined a company that moved him to Seattle in 1949. He and his family moved to Bellevue in 1953 — the year it became a city.

Bob was very active in the community, especially Rotary, in which he was president of the Seattle club, a district governor, and chair of international committees. He also was 1961 Seafair Prime Minister, a 40-year Salvation Army advisory board member, and an early board member of Bellevue Community College Foundation, among others.

Bob was married to Virginia (Ginny) Dole Ladd for 65 years until her death in 2007. He will be missed by their four children and their spouses, Jim & Sherry Ladd of Bellevue, David & Patty Ladd of Gig Harbor, Sandy & Tim Smithers of Elk Grove, California, and Linda & Paul Anderson of Aiken, South Carolina, as well as 13 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held at the First Congregational Church of Bellevue, of which Bob and Ginny had been active members since 1953, at 11:00 AM on Saturday, February 20, 2016.