Robert Carl Mertens, 94

Robert Carl Mertens passed away peacefully March 22, 2025. He was born in San Francisco, Calif., on Aug. 3, 1930, to Carl and Myra Mertens, and welcomed by big sister Shirley.

He spent the majority of his childhood between Alameda and Chicago. He was active in Scouting, planted Victory Gardens at his school and worked his first job at a local hardware store delivering paint and supplies. His father worked for the Union Pacific Railroad, and he was able to have summer employment as a tour guide on routes from Chicago to Yellowstone and Sun Valley.

He graduated from the University of Illinois with a degree in Ceramic Engineering, where he was a member of Sigma Phi Delta. He had an adventurous spirit and, with some buddies, formed a high-wire acrobatics group called “The Moondodgers.” He earned his pilot’s license, flew gliders in the Mojave Desert and skied Mammoth.  

He was hired by Aerojet General and began life in Azusa, Calif., where he met Marian Copp. They married Feb. 14, 1957, and had four children: Bob, Julie, Tom and Peggy.  

While working for Aerojet, he was involved in testing HAWK missile system rocket motors and weather rockets. He had the opportunity to live in Canada and made trips to Germany, Japan and Korea. He continued his career as a Quality Control Specialist in Kennewick, Wash., working at the Hanford nuclear site.  

Bob was forever landscaping and doing construction projects at the many homes he and Marian lived in. He could be found in the wee hours of the morning whistling out in the yard or garden. One of his greatest joys was helping his son, Tom, build a log cabin in Sumpter, Ore.

He enjoyed time with his children camping, hiking and traveling to visit relatives across the country. He was involved with the YMCA’s Adventure Guides, learned to play the guitar and participated in an adult hockey league and a cross-country skiing club. He loved his pets, researched family history, ran the desert hills in Kennewick and participated in Bloomsday and other local races. When the grandchildren came along, he became an avid spectator at many of their sporting events. His favorite adult beverage was a nice martini with two or three olives. He also loved his popcorn.

Upon his retirement, he and Marian joined the “full-timers,” moved into their fifth-wheel trailer and set off to travel. He took a job at a nuclear site in Aiken, Ga., where they set up camp for a year.

He and Marian returned to the Pacific Northwest, relocating to Walla Walla, Wash.; Sumpter, Ore.; Wickenburg, Ariz.; and finally settling in the Spokane/Coeur d’Alene area. He was residing at Spokane Valley Health and Rehabilitation upon his passing.

Bob will be remembered for his kind and caring nature. He saw a need and helped before being asked. He was active in his Catholic faith and was a fourth-degree Knight of Columbus.

He is survived by his spouse of 68 years, Marian; children Bob (Sheri) Mertens of Walla Walla, Wash./Sun City, Ariz.; Julie (Ken) Jenkins of Coeur d’Alene, Idaho; Tom (Daneitta) Mertens of College Place, Wash.; and Peggy DeWulf of Odessa, Wash. He will be missed by his grandchildren, Steven (Beth), Adriane, Nicole, Chris, Aubrey, Laura, Erin (Juan), Rob, Jacob (Sydney), Katie (Kenton), John and Tim; and great-grandchildren Lydia, Ian, Iris, Sage and Ivie.

A private family service will be held at a later date. 

Please visit Bob’s online memorial and sign his guestbook at www.yatesfuneralhomes.com.