BOB METKE

On Saturday evening, March 1, 2014, our 28th wedding anniversary, my dear Bob moved his “Good Humor” stand from his life in the beautiful Skagit Valley to the next part of his journey. Bob was fortunate to pass away in the peaceful and beautiful setting of Evergreen Hospice in Kirkland. His pancreatic cancer had just recently been diagnosed.

Those who knew Bob will always remember the warmth of his smile, personality, and hugs, and the color and joy he brought to all those he encountered during his life. His mission in life was to make people smile and feel good about themselves, and he accomplished that to a great degree.

Robert Lloyd “Bob” was born in Seattle on October 18, 1938, the first born child to Lillian and Lloyd Metke. The family soon moved to the lovely town of Montesano, where big brother Bob was joined by sister Linda and brother Paul.

Bob’s dad worked for the Weyerhaeuser corporation, and Bob recounts that he used to come home and find George Weyerhaeuser himself sitting in his living room, talking timber with his dad.

Bob graduated from Montesano High School, class of 1956, then joined the Navy and served three years, mostly on the USS Kearsage, an aircraft carrier.

After discharge, he returned to Grays Harbor County, and married Darlene Fickeisen of Aberdeen on July 1, 1960.

Their marriage produced two wonderful children, Jeff, born on August 10, 1961, and Marci, born November 13, 1965.

Bob was so proud of both of his children, and although he was a traveling salesman during much of the time they were growing up, he made an effort to be home for their games and activities if at all possible.

The greatest sorrow of his life came when his beautiful daughter Marci passed away of esophageal cancer at the age of 26 in 1991.

Bob started working in sales positions for various suppliers in the horticulture industry, and on February 16, 1976, began his career with the J M McConkey Co., of Sumner, manufacturers and distributors of greenhouse and nursery supplies and equipment. Bob’s career with McConkey lasted for over 32 years. He retired on February 29, 2008, after traveling during those years throughout the Pacific Northwest and into British Columbia and Alberta, calling on greenhouses and nurseries. His customers quickly became his friends.

Bob’s career in the horticulture industry was far more than a “job” to him…he worked long hours, participating in many industry meetings, tours, conventions, and trade shows in several states and provinces. Bob’s dedication to his chosen field was rewarded by several awards and honors.

During these years, Bob was thrilled to watch his son Jeff marry the wonderful Teresa Kjose and develop a beautiful family, as well as a successful remodeling business. Grandson Michael was born in 1990 and is a graduate of University of Southern California in neuroscience, and will be attending grad school soon in that field. He also was a member of the USC Trojan Marching Band during his time at USC, playing the saxophone.

Granddaughter Danielle, born in 1993, is a junior at the University of Oregon, a member of the U of O dance team, and is planning a time of service with a program in Africa this fall.

And youngest grandson, Justin, born in 2002, has worked extremely hard to overcome the effects of the seizure disorder that began to afflict him right before his first birthday.

Justin, in his short life, has already had four brain surgeries at the Doernbecher Children’s Hospital in Portland.

We are all encouraged by the progress he has made following his most recent surgery in October of 2012.

Bob and I are so very proud of Jeff, Teresa, and the beautiful family of grandchildren that they gave us.

We couldn’t ask for a more wonderful family.

Bob and I also greatly enjoyed traveling to Maui, and made at least one trip a year to that beautiful island since our marriage in 1986. Maui became a “home away from home” for us, and Bob built a great collection of Aloha shirts during our visits there. The Maui Swap Meet was our favorite shopping destination.

Although Bob loved and was fulfilled by his career at McConkey, along the way, he also developed other interests. He attended massage school and attained the position of licensed massage therapist. And he nurtured his artistic side…he had painted with both oils and water colors for some time, and then he discovered working with silver and glass.

Bob became entranced with fusing glass and began to create wonderful and unique fused glass pieces. We became volunteers at Pilchuck Glass School, and Bob was also a student at Pilchuck.

No account of Bob would be complete without mentioning his love of football and the Seattle Seahawks, and our delight in being season ticket holders and attending all the games we could. We suffered through the painful seasons with the team and were rewarded just a month ago with the Super Bowl championship!

Bob’s harem of three blue-eyed rescue kitties was also so very important to him. “The Girls,” or “The Munchkins,” absolutely adored him, and the feeling was reciprocal. They would jockey for places near him, and he would take them outside on our deck on leashes to keep them safe from the predators that abound in our area.

People from all aspects of Bob’s life will miss him greatly, but we all have many wonderful memories of this very special and colorful man to bring us comfort. And for me, his wife of the last 28 years, life will never be the same, but I treasure all the moments we shared, and hold all the memories close to my heart. And I so appreciate all the messages of love and support that we have received during the last days of Bob’s time here on earth. Thanks to all of you who have walked this path with us.

Visitation is at Hulbush Funeral Home, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Thursday, March 13, 281 South Burlington Blvd., Burlington (360-757-6055). Burial will be at Bay View Cemetery, high noon, Friday, March 14, followed by a reception and celebration of his life gathering at Maple Hall in La Conner.

Memorial donations in Bob’s name can be made to Pediatric Epilepsy Program — in honor of grandson Justin Metke, c/o Doernbecher Children’s Hospital Foundation, 1121 SW Salmon St., Suite 100, Portland, OR 97205, phone 503-552-0690; or to Pilchuck Glass School, 430 Yale Ave. N, Seattle, WA, 98109, phone 206-621-8422, ext. 26