Robert Arnold Patzer, Jr., of Poulsbo, died on Dec. 3 at Harrison Hospital in Bremerton. He was 63.

He was born on Dec. 6, 1944 in Riverside, Calif., raised in Napa, Calif., and graduated from Napa High School in 1963.

He immediately enlisted in the U.S. Navy and was honorably discharged in 1973, having served as the crypto communications specialist on the admiral’s staff during the Vietnam War.

He attended Napa Community College, then apprenticed and worked as a journeyman welder, planner and progressman at Mare Island Naval Shipyard. He retired in 1994 and moved to Poulsbo, then drove a school bus for the North Kitsap School District from 1995-2003.

He enjoyed traveling; dancing; gardening; metal artwork; working on his wife’s family farm in Ashland, Ore.; camping; fishing; movies; family get-togethers and barbecues (he was known as a “master craftsman”); and margaritas on the beaches of Lake Tahoe and Mexico.

He was a devoted family man who was well-liked by everyone who knew him. He had a generous and loving nature and was known for his positive attitude, sense of humor, Hawaiian shirts and hats.

He is survived by his wife of 30 years, Nancy Lynch Patzer; daughter D. Meghan Patzer of Poulsbo; mother Lela Morrison and brother Gerald Patzer of Napa; sisters Gloria Scott of Clear Lake, Calif., Cleo Patzer Alvarado of Vallejo, Calif., Shirley Patzer of Poulsbo, and Crystal Patzer of Corning, Calif.

He also leaves behind his aunt, Cleo Doughty of Odessa, Texas; 29 nieces and nephews; 12 in-laws; and many loving friends.

A memorial service was held on Dec. 7 in Kingston. The family would appreciate memorial donations to the American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 2383, Bremerton, WA 98310 or to The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, Donor Services, P.O. Box 4072, Pittsfield, MA 01202.

An online guest book is at www.cookfamilyfuneralhome.com.