Robert Kip Altman
Port Townsend, Wash.
Oct. 3, 1949 – April 12, 2016
Robert Altman passed away on April 12, 2016 after a three-month struggle with pancreatic cancer. He was surrounded by his wife, Lisa Flanders, children Molly and Eli Altman, and their mother Linda James.
Robert was one of the pioneers of equine massage having apprenticed with Jack Meagher, the former sports massage therapist for the Boston Celtics. Beginning in the late '80s, he traveled internationally with the U.S. equestrian teams, including the 1992 Barcelona Summer Olympics. Under his intuitive skills as an instructor, he trained and influenced many of today's top equine massage therapists nationally and abroad.
Robert moved from Massachusetts to Washington in 2005 to be closer to his children, and it was there he met his wife Lisa. They moved to Port Townsend, Wash., in 2007.
After moving to Washington, he continued teaching equine massage in the U.S. and Europe. In addition, following his passion for motorcycles, he began teaching motorcycle safety for both the state and the Navy. In his private life, Robert was a sailor, a pilot, a competitive paddler (both marathon canoe paddling and outrigger paddling), and an avid motorcyclist.
Robert was a loyal friend, and a devoted father and husband. He inspired everyone with whom he came in contact. His unique presence on the earth will be missed.
There will be a private service held at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Port Townsend Food Bank, P.O. Box 1795, Port Townsend, WA 98368, or the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network, www.pancan.org.
