Robert Helzer

Robert J. Helzer died peacefully at his home on Saturday, April 28, 2018, at the age of 94. Robert was born in 1924 in Portland, Oregon to Jack and Pauline Helzer. Robert graduated from Benson Tech High School in Portland, Oregon. After high school, he enlisted in the Oregon Army National Guard and in 1943 was called into service by the U.S. Army for the remainder of WWII. He served in the Engineering Battalion in the European theater traveling all the way to the Rhine River. After the war, Robert returned home and married Virginia; they had five children. In 1950, he earned an Electrical Engineering Degree from the University of Portland. For over 40 years, Robert worked for Boeing as a principal engineer in the Engineering & Physics Department, particularly in a weapons ordinance group designing conventional weapons for the U.S. Military. In keeping with his patriotic character, he additionally served in the Washington State Army National Guard for many years. He is proceeded in death by his parents, Jack and Pauline Helzer, his wife Virginia, son Kurt, uncle Henry, and cousin Adeline. Robert is survived by his daughters, Wendy Gallagher, Sara Flores, Heidi Krasovetz, son Eric, 12 grandchildren, and 21 great grandchildren. Visitation will be Tuesday May 15, 2018, 4-8 p.m., Powers Funeral Home, Puyallup, Wash. Funeral Mass will be Wednesday, May 16, 2018, 11:00 a.m., St. Andrew Catholic Church, Sumner, Wash. Burial will follow the Funeral Mass, Washington Memorial Park, SeaTac, Wash. Arrangements by Powers Funeral Home.