ROBERT J. CRIM

Former La Conner resident Robert J. Crim died on Wednesday, January 7 at the age of 92.

Born in Yakima, to Walter and Kathryn Crim, on August 12, 1922, Bob was the third youngest of four brothers. Growing up his family lived in Yakima, Deep River, Alberta, Canada, Seattle and Mount Vernon. He graduated from Mount Vernon High School in 1940. Bob attended business school until he enlisted in the Army in 1942.

He was stationed at Fort Richardson, Alaska serving in communications at the outposts of Fairbanks, Moses Point east of Nome and on the islands of Adak and Attu.

In 1945, while in Alaska, he married his first wife, Evalee. At war’s end the newlyweds moved to Mount Vernon, where they made their home. They had two daughters, Julie and Debbie.

Evalee preceded him in death in 1964, and Bob remarried in 1965 to Marian Nystrom Schopf, adding thee young sons to the family. His new, larger family settled in La Conner.

Bob made his career in banking and was the manager of the National Bank of Commerce in La Conner for many years. He also worked as manager of the Sedro-Woolley and Mount Vernon branches. His last office was in Bellingham, which is where he retired from banking after 30 years.

Bob loved the outdoors, hiking with his family and friends, hunting, but most of all fishing. His favorite places to fish were the Skagit River and Deep Creek, Cook Inlet, Alaska. However, he would fish almost anywhere if the conditions were right and the fish were running.

His favorite fishing buddy was his wife, Marian. With a big smile, she still tells the family of her 60+ pound salmon, which was bigger than his.

Bob was preceded in death by his oldest brother, Walter Crim, second brother, Richard Crim, and his first wife C. Evalee O’Neal Crim.

He is survived by his wife Marian Crim; his brother Harvey Crim; his daughters, Julie O’Neal and Debbie O’Neal; his sons, Gary Schopf, Randy Schopf and Stan Schopf; 12 grandchildren, 16 great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild, plus Molly and Sparkee.

Bob is also survived by his adopted extended family and people very special to him: Gary and Debbie Murphy, John and Linda Cavnar, Ann Hall and PJ McGuire and Leslie Boswell.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions to your local humane society, Disabled Veterans or any pediatric cancer research hospital.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, February 7 at First Christian Church, Disciples of Christ, 495 E. Bakerview Road, Bellingham, WA 98226. Arrangements are under the care of Hawthorne Funeral Home, Mount Vernon, WA.