“Bob” was born Aug. 21, 1935, to Wray Delmer Serl and Mabel Martha (Weiher) Serl in Macon, Missouri. On June 4, 1955, Bob married Iris Elizabeth Snodgrass. They would spend more than 73 years together and were married 68 years.
He was preceded in death by his father and mother; and brothers, Leo, Leland and Glen. Bobby is survived by the love of his life, Iris Elizabeth Snodgrass-Serl; their four married children: Deanna and Mike Borseth, Chehalis; Bobby and Teresa Serl, Jr., Onalaska; William (Bill) and Dawn Serl, Centralia; and Danielle and Eugene (Butch) Miller, Winlock; 11 grandchildren; 37 great-grandchildren; his siblings, John, Wray (Jr.), Lawrence (Larry) and Linda Hebert-Serl; numerous nieces and nephews; as well as many great and twice-great nieces and nephews.
Bob was known for being an extremely hard worker who retired from the City of Chehalis Public Works Department after 30 years of service in 1997. Notably, he also served many years as a City of Chehalis reserve police officer providing security for W.F. West home games and dances, and he was a Centralia College adjunct professor, where he taught wastewater treatment courses.
Being an avid outdoorsman, he passed his passion for deer and elk hunting, as well as salmon fishing, on to his many children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and countless others. He will be remembered as a skilled athlete who enjoyed playing baseball and slow pitch until he was well over 50. He coached his own sons and many talented Twin Cities youth in Babe Ruth baseball, where he also served as president. A talented bowler, “Uncle Bob,” as he was known by many, bowled throughout Lewis County until 2020. Bobby loved to volunteer and was an active member of Kiwanis for decades.
The family would like to extend a special thank you, love and appreciation to Dad’s caregivers, Lottie, Eva and great-grandson Kenton, for walking alongside us in Bob's final years, months and days and for providing care above and beyond expectations.
To view the extended obituary, and leave comments for family, please visit www.cattermolefh.com.
Please join the family in a celebration of life from noon to 3 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 22, at the Veterans Memorial Museum, 100 SW Veterans Way, in Chehalis, Washington.
