Obituary: Robert LeRoy Hunt

Robert LeRoy Hunt died on Friday, Aug. 11, 2023, in Mount Vernon, Washington, at the age of 85 surrounded by his children.

Born on the family farm in Gunn Hill in Lenox Township, Pennsylvania, on Dec. 10, 1937, Bob's life journey would take him to every corner of the globe where he discovered and loved the oceans, mountains, rivers and exploring any new destination and any road less travelled. Together with his beloved wife, Phyllis, who preceded him in death in 2015, the two set forth in January 1958 to create a lifetime of memories spanning their 57 years of marriage built on the love of family, traveling adventures and each other.

Bob served a majority of his life in the United States Navy as a machinist, advisor and teacher in many assignments from the Mediterranean, Scotland, the Eastern, Gulf and Western seaboards of the U.S., and Southeast Asia, earning numerous awards including the Gallantry Cross. In 1967, Bob brought his family to the Skagit Valley where he served as a Navy recruiter stationed in Mount Vernon, settling his family in La Conner. During this time, Bob volunteered for two tours of service in Vietnam. He retired from the U.S. Navy in 1975 and returned to La Conner. Shortly after, the family then moved to Lynnwood, where Bob retired from the United States Postal Service after 20 years of service.

Bob dearly loved the Pacific Northwest with the glacier-covered mountains, eagles, rivers, Pacific Beach and a scoop of Tillamook ice cream atop almost any kind of pie. He spent many years hunting with friends and family and hiking or driving mountain backroads. Always enjoying a good game of cribbage, those able to peg out ahead of him found themselves fortunate. Adorning Bob's front door, the flag of his beloved Boston Red Sox proudly declared his lifetime devotion to his cherished team. An avid learner, Bob enjoyed reading, researching and taking classes to earn his Associates of Arts Degree through Skagit Valley College. He was a lifelong member of the American Legion, the Veterans of Foreign Wars, and the Disabled American Veterans whose hat he wore proudly wherever he went.

His greatest love and pride above all was his family. Together, Bob and Phyllis raised their own four children and welcomed numerous others into the Hunt household over the years, enlarging the family circle year after year. Bob traveled far and wide to attend any and all events grandchild-related: track meets, basketball games, music recitals, ballet productions, birthday parties, theater productions and many more. If there was an event that involved one of his grandchildren, Bob was more than often the first one in the stands or seats and the last one to leave.

Bob is survived by his children: Michelle (Doug) Cave, Robert (Michelle) Hunt, Deborah (Eric) Grant and James (Debbie) Hunt; his grandchildren Jim, Kathy, Angela, Rob, Amanda, Mitchell, Hannah, Olivia and Dane; and his great-grandchildren Sean, Marin, David, Anna, Kasen, Kyler, Bently, Ellie and Oskar. Bob is also survived by his two sisters, Alzada Bice and Catherine LaFevers, and sisters-in-law Patricia DiBlasi and Judy Wells. He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Glenn and Christine Davis and his sister, Sherry Mosley.

A private family graveside gathering with military honors will be held at Pleasant Ridge Cemetery in September. Donations as memorials in Bob's name may be made to the Navy-Marine Corp Relief Society (www.nmcrs.org) or to the Disabled American Veterans Charity (www.dav.org).

Arrangements are under the care of Kern Funeral Home, Mount Vernon.