Ranie “Bob” Zuidema, 55, of Anacortes, died July 8, 2005 at his home in Anacortes. He was born in Syracuse, N.Y. on Dec. 20, 1949, the son of Ranie & Ruth (Hall) Zuidema. Bob’s father, Ranie, was stationed a short while at Whidbey Island Naval Air Station during WWII. As a family they spent many vacations in the area even after he was discharged from the Navy.

Young Bob loved these family vacations. As a family they later moved to Orange County, Calif., where Bob graduated from Rancho Alamitos High School. Bob then attended Fullerton Community College. He married his soul mate, Karen Pekarcik, on July 11, 1970, before serving in the U.S. Navy during Vietnam.

Bob spent 25 years in the newspaper profession and for a time wrote a sports column for the Register Pajaronian. In 1989, Bob and Karen returned to Bob’s childhood vacation spot and decided to make Anacortes their home. In Anacortes, Bob discovered his attachment to the Skagit Valley and its community. He founded the Orphan Car Show for the city of La Conner which was the city where Bob had opened his first “Bagel House and Ice Cream Parlor” and earned the nickname “Bagel Bob.” As one of Skagit Valley’s best bowlers, he rolled a perfect 300 game and an 823 high series. Bob’s name is on the list of all time highs at San Juan Lanes. He was a natural salesman (newspapers, vacuums, cars, embroidery, etc.). Bob also loved baseball and was a good political and philosophical debater. He returned from his daughter’s wedding in Minneapolis on June 24. Bob, you always enlivened any gathering. We celebrate your spirit.

Bob is survived by his wife, Karen Zuidema of Anacortes; his son and fiancee, Ryan Zuidema and Melissa Purcell of Phoenix,; his daughter and son-in-law, Rena and Charley Cummings of Minneapolis; his grandson, James Zuidema of Phoenix; his mother, Ruth G. Zuidema of Garden Grove, Calif.; and his sister and brother-in-law, Rachel and Richard Wilkinson of Moreno Valley, Calif.

Visitation will be held from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday, July 15, at Evans Funeral Chapel. A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, July 16, at Evans Funeral Chapel. Arrangements are in the care of Evans Funeral Chapel, Anacortes. To share memories of Bob, sign the online guest register at www.evanschapel.com.