WA - Robert H. "Bob" Ilgenfritz, 90, passed away peacefully August 13, 2025 in Redmond, WA. Bob was born September 27, 1934 and raised in Mamaroneck, New York. He joined his beloved Gretchen under a Crescent Moon's cradling Venus and Jupiter after a life lived at full speed and full impact.

He was a child of the Great Depression and his early life spanned the Second World War and start of the Cold War. This may explain why he never threw anything away and believed anything could be fixed, usually by him.

He earned an engineering degree at the University of Michigan while serving in the Army ROTC. In Ann Arbor he fell in love with Gretchen and they began a 63 year marriage that spanned both coasts and around the world, while welcoming sons Kurt, Doug and Ric into a loud, raucous family.

His career played out during the jet age, starting with General Electric. He loved technology and focused on sales and service of avionics in commercial, military and space applications with stints in Boston, St. Louis, Virginia, and Pennsylvania. In 1975 he took a big risk to leave GE for Sundstrand Data Control in Redmond, WA, moving the family across the country to Mercer Island and working his way into executive leadership. Upon retirement, he purchased a small business, Prism Electronics, and ran it with Gretchen for 10 years.

He instilled in his boys fierce independence, and passion for family traditions, sports and the outdoors. He taught them how to be handy, sail a boat upwind, set the anchor, catch fish, climb mountains, pitch tents, and change a tire. He was an original Seahawks season ticket holder, attending games through 2024.

He was active in the community, serving on numerous boards spanning industry advocacy, education, and community service, including time with North Seattle College. He was passionate about the arts, performing in many choral groups, including the Seattle Symphony Chorale and being a lifelong supporter of Seattle's theater, opera and fine arts community. As a performer, he was never happier than when belting out Handel's Messiah during the holidays.

Most of all, Bob was a people person who loved a good party. He and Gretchen were generous hosts, welcoming everyone and reveling in the noise and energy of a full house, a full boat, or a crowded campfire.

Bob is survived by his three sons and their wives Twila, Kris and Jen, and his four grandchildren Bo, Luke, Tessa and Ian, all of whom are grateful knowing he and Gretchen are back together again.

A life celebration/memorial service will be held November 8th at 1:00 at Emerald Heights in Redmond, WA. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests considering donations to the Roby M. Scholarship Fund, University of Michigan Club of Seattle in honor of Gretchen and Robert Ilgenfritz (online at Roby M. Burley Scholarship Fund - 724500 - Michigan Giving).