Robert S. Beach, age 82, passed away Wednesday, September 20, 2006 at his home in Sedro-Woolley with his family at his side.
He was born March 20, 1924 in Sedro-Woolley, WA, the son of Curtis and Gladys Miller Beach.
Bob grew up in Sedro-Woolley attending school and graduated from Sedro-Woolley High School in 1942. He began working for Skagit Steel as an apprentice machinist until serving with the US Army as a Staff Sgt. from March 1943 to March 1946. After his discharge, Bob attended the University of Washington and graduated with a B.A. in Business Administration in 1950. He returned to Skagit Steel-Bendix-Continental Emsco and worked for them for many years in various capacities until his retirement in April of 1984.
He was married to Harriet Ray on November 28, 1953 at the Presbyterian Church in Sedro-Woolley and she preceded him in death in 1998.
Bob was a member and past commander of George Baldridge Post #43 American Legion, Burlington United Lodge #93 F.& A.M., Civil Air Patrol and past commander, Elks, and Eagles. He was a ham radio operator with the call sign K7TUH and was a member of the American Radio Relay League and he was inducted into the Quarter Century Wireless Association on February 2, 1987 for 25 years of being a licensed amateur wireless operator. He also enjoyed camping and riding motorcycles.
He is survived by his children, Debra Allen, Karen Hiatt and her husband Barry, Russell Ray and his wife Connie all of Sedro-Woolley and Jeannie Ray and her husband Charles Treash of Seattle. 5 granddaughters, Molly Orheim and her husband Chris, Heidi Welborn and her husband Josh, Angie Kilcup and her husband Steve, Trisha Hamilton and her husband Shane, Chelsea Ray, and 1 grandson, Brian Ammons. 5 great-great-grandchildren. Also surviving is a special longtime friend John Root who cared and visited him everyday.
Memorial Services will be Saturday, September 23, 2006 at 2:00 PM at Lemley Chapel, Sedro-Woolley with Pastor Wendy Tingley of the Trinity United Presbyterian Church officiating along with Masonic Rites by Burlington United Lodge #93 F.&A.M. and Military Honors by George Baldridge Post #43 American Legion. Memorials are suggested to Meals on Wheels, Skagit Hospice, or SPOT. A fellowship will immediately follow the service at the American Legion Hall in Sedro-Woolley.