Robert Joseph Bartlett

Our beloved father, Robert (Bob) Joseph Bartlett passed away at the age of 99 on July 20, 2021.  On this day he joined our mother Carmen Collin Bartlett, his beloved wife of 70 years, in heaven.  (Our mother recently passed away on June 8, 2021.)

Our father was born on January 13, 1922 in Hennepin, Minnesota. His family owned the Bartlett Palace Resort along with Hennepin Motors, a huge care dealership on Upper Lake Minnetonka in Mound, Minnesota.  The resort was considered one of the best resorts back in the early 1900’s.  The city even named a main street after the Bartlett family.

Our dad grew up in Orange, CA with his father Edward DuVaneBartlett, mother Mary Walsh Bartlett, sister Mary Jane Bartlett Ricci and brother Don Bartlett.  His father was an entrepreneurand real estate broker in Orange and they were longtime parishioners at Holy Family Catholic Church.

Our dad graduated from Orange High School in 1940. He was on the varsity tennis team and was great in math.  He was chosen by the Army Air Corps to enter a flight program while attending Santa Ana College.  When America entered WWII our dad was offered to stay in the Army Air Corps or join another division.  He chose the Coast Guard and was stationed in San Francisco.  German submarines were coming close to the Pacific coast, so my dad patrolled the pacific shores on a horse.  After a few months they transferred him to the South Pacific.  He was a sonarman 3rd class on a PT Boat.  They would search and rescue airman who crashed or parachuted into the sea.

After the war ended our dad started working on his career in the furniture, carpet and drapery business.  He also joined a Catholic singles group.  The first time our parents met was through amutual friend from the group who suggested our dad meet our mom for drinks at a bar in Laguna Beach.  They were both very attracted to each other, but their careers were just starting so their paths did not cross again for almost two years later at a Catholic singles club in Ontario, CA.  They knew then they were meant to be together and after just a few dates they were engaged and married on December 30, 1950.

Their strong faith was very important in their lives and in raising a family.  They wanted a big family and raised six children, Patrick, Michael, Vicki, Colette, Susanne and Mark.  Through every up and down in life their faith remained strong.  Our father was always there for us and anyone else who needed help.  He showed us the meaning of true love and compassion for others. We will always remember the family outings and vacations we took throughout the years.  Our dad would always find a side road to take that would lead us somewhere new and exciting.   He loved adventure and decided to take sailing lessons in his 60’s and persuaded our mom.  They would take their sailboat to Catalina or putter around Newport Bay.  He encouraged us as well to learn to sail.  Those were great memories.

He was involved in the church and community.  When the diocese wanted to build a new church, St. Norbert Catholic Church, they asked my father to help build the parish family. While running his own business and raising a family, he made time to help build a new parish.  

As time passed the family continued to grow.  Pat and his deceased wife Euridice and daughter Paulette.  Pat and his current wife April and daughter Scarlet and son Maverick.  Vicki and her deceased husband Gerry and daughters Hailey and Lauren.  Mark and his wife Ana Karina. Colette and her deceased husband Thad and sons Nicholas, Christian, Avery and Conner.  A few new additions include two great grandchildren, Paulette and Mike’s daughter Lotus and Conner and Stefani’s son Mason.  They loved and adored her grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Our parents were “In Love” for 70 years and we are so grateful we were surrounded by their love and faith.  They were separated for just a short time and now are together in heaven on a new forever journey.  We will miss both of you terribly but are happy to know you’re both together forever in heaven.        

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