Robert K. Born

Robert K. Born -2011

Beloved father, grandfather and friend, Robert K. Born (“Bob”) passed away peacefully at 80 years old, with his two children at his side, on June 24, 2022 in Kirkland, Washington. His humor and warmth will be missed by all who knew him.

Bob is survived by the families of his daughter (Teresa, Scott, Will and Maddy) and son (Rob, Marley, Tyler and Ellie), his cousins in Napa (Doug, Holly, Sandy), and his extended family in Bornholm (Margrethe, Jorn, Dagmar).

Bob was born and raised in California.  His father, Kurt O. Born, died while he was young, and he had a close relationship with his mother, Margaret Dagmar (Koford) Born.  Bob graduated from Palo Alto High School.  He married shortly after graduating and had two children, Teresa and Rob (later getting divorced).  Bob had a successful career as a computer programmer (although he often told us his favorite job was when he was selling shoes at a women’s shoe store). He retired in 1997 and spent his time visiting with friends and family, traveling, taking photographs and painting.  He loved the sunshine and the many dear friends he had in California, yet moved to Washington in 2008 to be near his children and four grandchildren.

His wisdom and humor will stay with us always.  We are all well versed in the benefits of dollar cost averaging and know exactly how to respond to common questions such as ‘did you get your hair cut’ (I got them all cut) or ‘how did you sleep last night’ (with my eyes closed).  His personal journey through life, not without its challenges, was inspirational to those that new him and shaped the loving, supporting and caring person he had become.

He felt strong ties to his family roots in Germany and Denmark.  Especially dear to him were his extended family in Bornholm, Denmark.  He was fortunate to take four trips to visit them, enjoying their warm hygge, and he was happy to have located the home where his mother was born.  His skills at making aebleskiver will be passed on for generations to come.

An interment will take place Friday, July 15^th at Rockville Cemetery in Fairfield, California for the family.  The following day, Saturday, July 16^th everyone is invited to a celebration of Bob’s life at the Center for Spiritual Enlightenment in San Jose, California at 4pm.

In lieu of flowers please donate in honor of Bob to one of the places dear to him: the Center for Spiritual Enlightenment (https://www.csecenter.org) or the National Nordic Museum (https://nordicmuseum.org/).