Lt. Robert A. Millar, USNR Ret, passed away Friday, May 29, 2009 in Bellingham, Washington.
He was born in Spokane, Washington on March 17, 1921, the son of Scottish immigrants, Isabel and Robert Millar.
Lt. Millar spent his teen years hunting and fishing in the Skagit Valley area. Bob loved bird hunting, especially ducks, and was an excellent shot. He graduated from Sedro-Woolley High School in 1939 and his first real job was as a machinist for Coolidge Propeller Company in Seattle. His choice for service found him in the Navy flying fighter planes in the Pacific area during WWII. His skill as an F6F pilot earned him several service medals. Bob was attached to the USS Saratoga during the battle for Iwa Jima when suicide planes disabled the ship. He was then transferred to the USS Monterey and finished the war in Tokyo Harbor. He was retired in 1947.
At the war’s end, on December 8, 1945 he married Bernice Shellhamer in Santa Ana, California, a former Sedro-Woolley classmate. They have one child, Robyn and have maintained a family home in Whatcom Country for over 50 years.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his brother-in-law, Dennis Christianson and several nieces and nephews. He leaves his wife, Bernice and daughter Robyn in Bellingham, his sister, Jean Christianson of Mount Vernon, cousin’s, Kathleen Park of Riverside, CA and Mary Christensen of New Brunswick, Canada and several cousins in Scotland and many nieces and nephews in Washington and Oregon.
Military Graveside Services will be held Tuesday, June 2, 2009 at 2:00 PM at the Sedro-Woolley Union Cemetery with Chaplin Peter Ott of NAS Whidbey officiating with military honors performed by NAS Whidbey and George Baldridge Post #43 American Legion. A celebration of his courage and our love will be held immediately following the services at Alphy’s Restaurant Banquet Room on Hwy 20 in Sedro-Woolley. Arrangements and Services under the care of Lemley Chapel, Sedro-Woolley.