Robert Thomas Sonneman of Gig Harbor, WA, 82, went home to be with his Lord and Savior on February 28th, 2018. Bob was born to Edwin Arthur and Agnus Mae Sonneman on April 8, 1935 and was raised in Midland, WA where he was an outstanding athlete. He was part of the glee club and a football and baseball star at Bellarmine Prep in Tacoma. He transferred to Lincoln High in his senior year and excelled in track as a decathlon entry going to state in 1953. His favorite sport, however, was baseball. He was an outfielder for Tacoma Players and other Pierce County teams in the latter 1950’s, 60’s and 70’s. Bob was honored to be inducted into the Hall of Fame at the 2016 Banquet of Champions for his slow pitch contribution in 1954 and 1955. We are all so proud of him.
Bob enlisted for two years into the Army in 1954 and was based at Fort Lewis 576th Ordinance, Ammo division. He was married to Marlene Drake in October of 1954 and was father to four children, Robert Lawrence, Bradley Drake, Brian Michael and Brenda Lynn (Sizemore). The marriage ended in 1970 and in 1976 Bob married and devoted the rest of his life to the lovely Helen Jane Bowman. Bob became father to Helen’s two sons David Raymond and Brian Douglas, adopting them in 1991. His sustaining career was in sales.
In 1976, Bob’s entire life changed when the Lord Jesus came into his heart. He became passionately aware of the lost and so he was the instrumental spiritual influence in many lives, beginning with his children. Bob and Helen taught and served at Covenant of Peace of Tacoma, and Vineyard and Chapel Hill of Gig Harbor. They joined the ministry team at McNeil Island Prison and for 15 years, every Friday night, they rode the ferry over and met with the men and saw hearts and lives change. He brought joy and wit with him wherever he went. We will miss his amazing smile, booming voice and joyous heart.
Bob survived throat cancer in 1993 and lived his final six years with Parkinson ’s disease. His brothers Thomas and Timothy and parents Ed and Agnus, and son Brian Michael preceded him in death. He is survived by one brother Patrick and sister Colleen and her husband Hank Whitehead, sister -n-law Diane Sonneman; his five remaining children and their spouses, Melanie Sonneman, daughter-in-law Lisa Sonneman, Dan Sizemore, Jennifer Sonneman and Cheryl Sonneman; 28 grandchildren and 24 great grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews. A memorial service will be held at Trinity Church, 4041 Tacoma Mall Blvd on March 10th, 2018 at 2p.m.

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