Robert was born in Ballinger, Texas. His family moved to New Mexico when he was a child, and came to California with his family during the Great Depression, settling in Los Banos. Bob worked in shipyards during WWII and then returned to Los Banos in 1950 to work for Louie Paradiso, a painting contractor. He purchased the business from Louie in 1956. He worked as a painting contractor for 46 years before retiring in 2002 at the age of 85. Robert was preceded in death by his wife June Oetken, son, Mark Oetken, 3 brothers and 2 sisters . He is survived by his son Robert D. Oetken, Jr.,; daughter, Judy Cipriani; Grandchildren: Lisa Cantua, Christy Cipriani, and Kim Hicks. Services will be held Friday, November 18, 2016 at Whitehurst Funeral Chapel, Los Banos at 12:00 noon; burial will follow at Evergreen Cemetery, 1460 B Street, Merced,at 2:00 p.m. Services are under the direction of Whitehurst Funeral Chapel ~ Los Banos.