BOMBER MEMORIAL

ROBERT WILLIAM "BOB" PARK ~ Class of 1965
September 1, 1947 - May 23, 2002

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Robert William Park, age 54, of Yakima passed on into the loving arms of the Lord on Thursday, May 23, 2002. He was surrounded by his family and friends after courageously battling pancreatic cancer for ten months.

Bob was born in Pasco on September 1, 1947 to Ralph L. and Muriel Templeton Park. He lived in Richland where he attended Carmichael Junior High School and graduated with the Class of 1965 from Richland's Columbia High School.

In 1969 Bob graduated from Washington State University receiving a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology.

He joined the United States Air Force in July 1969. He was a medic and flew air rescue missions in Vietnam.

On December 27, 1969 he married Barbara Anna Simpson at St. Joseph Church in Kennewick.

After his discharge from the Air Force, Bob and Barbara moved to Ellensburg where they continued with their education. Bob received his Master's Degree in Education from Central Washington University in 1975.

After graduation, they moved to Yakima where Bob was hired by the Yakima School District in 1975. Bob taught for 27 years at his beloved Wilson Middle School. He was a gifted teacher who truly loved the middle school students.

Bob coached basketball, volleyball and track during his career. He was the "shotgun" starter for both the season and district track meets as well as a supporter of all school sports. Bob had coordinated many eighth grade events which included the annual Crime Unit and music coordinator for the talent show.

In addition, he involved the whole school by teaching the students to make miniature kites, and he organized the Math Olympiad.

Bob was a very gifted man with many talents. He enjoyed kite flying, working on model trains, bicycle riding, yard work and tending the rose garden. He was a craftsman and had a special talent for playing the organ.

His greatest love and enjoyment were his pride and joy, his two beautiful daughters, Jillien and Nicole.

He is survived by his wife of 32 years, Barbara Park of Yakima; daughters, Jillien and Nicole Park of Yakima; his mother, Muriel Park of Yakima; his sister and brother-in-law, Lynne and Joe Amstadt of Scottsdale, AZ; sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Rose and Kurt Barner of Kennewick; nephews, Daniel and Ezra; niece, Kristen; and his in-laws, Bruce and Rita Simpson of Yakima.

Bob was preceded in death by his father, Ralph Park.

Memorial services were held at 4pm on Thursday, May 30, 2002 at the Westminster Presbyterian Church at 6015 Summitview Avenue in Yakima.

Memorials may be made to Wilson Middle School, Northstar Lodge or Memorial Home Health and Hospice c/o Langevin-Mussetter Funeral Home; 1010 W. Yakima Avenue in Yakima.

Langevin-Mussetter Funeral Home was entrusted with the arrangements.

Published in the Tri-City Herald on May 26, 2002.

Bomber Memorial put together by Maren SMYTH ('63 and '64) and edited by Shirley COLLINGS Haskins ('66).