Robert Fredrick Waller

July 15, 1922 – Feb. 14, 2017

Robert (Bob) was born in Missoula, Montana on July 15, 1922 to Fred and Pearle (Kridner) Waller. His father was an educator, his mother an executive secretary. The Wallers lived in Alderton, Montana briefly, before moving to Puyallup Valley where his father was his vice-principal in Bob’s grade school. His father was the superintendent when Bob was in high school at Vaughn Union High School (now Peninsula High School at Purdy, Washington) and in college in South Dakota at Wessington Springs. Bob attended South Dakota University in Vermillion, South Dakota in 1942. Then a three year career in the Navy from 1942-45, as a hospital corpsman. After WWII he completed his college degree at Seattle Pacific University in 1946 and then went to New York Theological Seminary, graduating in 1949. He also did graduate studies at New York University completing his Masters in Education.

Bob married Juanita Brown in his grandmother’s home in Tacoma, Washington in 1943. They adopted three children: Mark, Melanie, and Kathleen in their 58 years of marriage. Juanita passed away in June 2001.

Bob served as a United Methodist minister in Bangall and Pleasant Valley, New York; Stevenson, Washington; Kennewick, Washington (West Highlands and Kennewick First); Queen Anne in Seattle and Des Moines, Washington.

In 2006, Robert married Janet Herren of Bainbridge island and remained in that community until his death.

Bob was preceded in death by his parents, wife Juanita, his daughter Kathleen and brother-in-law Charles as well as Janet’s first husband Vern in 2001 and their two sons Rick in 1989 and Dwight (Jennifer) and their 2 children in 1997. Bob is survived by his wife Janet; his sisters Gwen and Mary Ann (Edward); stepson Scott Herren and wife Mary Beaubien and their four sons Max, Josh, Chay and Kelly; son Mark and his wife Linda Waller and their two sons Steven and James; and daughter Melanie Waller. He leaves behind 5 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren as well as nieces and nephews: Crystal (Alex) Hernandez and their children Angelina and Alex Jr; Pearle (Vike) and their children Love and Roerich; Robert Budde.

Bob was full of life, thoughtful, caring of others, spirited and a voracious reader. After retirement he volunteered for several organizations (Kiwanis, Habitat for Humanity; Food Bank, Seabold church activities, etc). Wherever he went he either found a friend he knew or left with a new one. Bob loved the Lord and served Him all his life. He left a huge legacy for us to follow.

A memorial service will be held at Seabold United Methodist church, Bainbridge Island on March 4, 2017 at 11:00 A.M. A reception will follow the service. Remembrances may be made for the Seabold church memorial fund or the charity of your choice.