Robert Grote

Robert Bob Jake Grote
Stillwater- Bob Grote, 80, passed away Sunday, July 19, 2015 at Mercy Hospital Logan County in Guthrie, OK.
Bob was born September 26, 1934 in Pawnee, OK to Lester and Era Grote. Bob grew up in Glencoe, OK where he graduated as a Glencoe Panther in 1952.
After his high school graduation, Bob joined the United States Army and served his country for two years. During his two years of service he was awarded the National Defense Service Medal and the Good Conduct Medal before being honorably discharged in 1955.
Although at the time of his passing he was not married, Bob married Rhea Lorraine Beavers of Maramec, OK on November 30, 1956. Bob and Rhea remained married for almost 50 years.
Following his service in the military Bob enrolled as a student at Oklahoma State University where he graduated with a Bachelors of Science degree in 1962.
With his college degree, Bob accepted a few jobs that at one point took him to Montana and then to California. 1967 is the year when he found his place in the working world. Bob took a position with Shell Oil that year and relocated his family to Anchorage, AK where he worked as a Drilling Supervisor for 25 years before retiring in 1992.
Shortly after leaving Shell Oil, Bob returned to Oklahoma to enjoy the life of retirement. During his newfound free time he enjoyed several hobbies which included woodworking, small engine repair, working on anything mechanical, reading, watching the Military or History channels, and spending countless hours in his shop just tinkering.
Bob is survived by the mother of his children, Rhea Grote of Stillwater, OK, his two daughters, Mary Smith and her husband, Randy, of Stillwater, OK, and Debra Grote of Stillwater, OK; his two grandchildren, Tim Smith of Stillwater, OK, and Jami Bates and her husband, Howard Bates Jr., of Stillwater, OK; one step great grandchild, McKinley Cooper Bates of Kansas; his younger sister, Sharlene Brien and her husband, Lynn, of Pawnee, OK; his brother in law, Bruce Huff of Stillwater, OK; four nieces, Kim Bowie and her husband, Daryl, of Florida, Denise Holt of Stillwater, OK, Tammy Nelson of Stillwater, OK, and Kim Burris of Stillwater, OK; and one great nephew, D.J. Ripley and his wife, Nicole, of Glencoe, OK, along with their children.
Bob is preceded in death by his parents, Lester and Era Grote of Glencoe, OK, and his older sister, Arlene Huff of Stillwater, OK.