From his brother, William:

Obituary for Robert Warren Root, Jr.

Robert Warren (Bob) Root, Jr., passed into the arms of Jesus, his loving Lord and Savior, on March 21, 2025. Bob was 76 and had been ill with Alzheimer’s disease for the last 10 years. Marcie, Kerri, and Mike spent many hours with Bob over the last 2 1/2 years as he declined while living at Ascension Siena Memory Care. His family loved his smile, bright blue eyes, and laughter. Bob had lost his ability to share a conversation for the last 3 years, because of the illness. 

Bob was born in Boise, Idaho, on November 8, 1948, the son of the late Robert Warren Root, Sr., and Ruth Elouise (Settle) Root. His family was military, so Bob lived in Idaho, Germany, California, Japan, and Maryland, then back to Idaho to attend Greenleaf Friends Academy, where he graduated from high school. His family then moved to Seattle about the time that Marcie moved to Seattle from Denver. They met at Immanuel Bible Church in Seattle, where Marcie’s Uncle was the senior Pastor. Bob volunteered for the Army Helicopter training program, with his training starting on Jan 1, 1969. They married on May 16, 1969, in a chapel at the Fort Wolters Aviation Military base in Texas, where Bob was in flight training for the U.S. Army. Bob graduated with his Warrant Officer wings at the end of 1969 in Savannah, GA., then left to serve for one year in Vietnam flying helicopters.

After his return to Seattle, he attended the University of Washington, completing his business degree. Together, Bob & Marcie moved to Alaska, where Bob flew helicopters on commercial jobs for 7 years. They had two children who were born in Anchorage, where they owned their first home. They moved back to Seattle for a year to be near family. But an aviation job offer was sent to Bob, and the job was located in Eau Claire, WI. Bob flew for John Menard for just under a year and then got the opportunity to interview and was hired by the SC Johnson Corporate Flight Dept, starting his new job in November 1980. He flew all over the world and loved his job! He was a Captain and flew a Sikorsky helicopter, and several different jets. Bob was in the flight department for 33 years before retiring in Sept 2013, at age 65.

When Bob was in town, he enjoyed reading history books, woodworking, home repair projects, family road trips across WI, and attending Racine Bible Church every Sunday until he was too sick. He also enjoyed spending time with his children, Kerri, and Mike, and with his granddaughter, Elin, and his grandson, Soren. Bob was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather!

Surviving are his loving wife, Marcie Root, his daughter Kerri Root (Jason Kann), and his son Mike Root. Bob is also survived by a brother, William Root (Mary), and two sisters, Elouise Root and Evelyn Root, and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

A private family service will be held for Bob in May 2025. Private interment will take place at SE Wisconsin Veterans Cemetery located in Union Grove, Wisconsin.