Robert C. Payne | PASSAGES
Published 9:04 am Monday, October 5, 2015
Robert C. Payne passed away peacefully on Sept. 20, 2015 of natural causes, at the age of 91.
Bob was born to Elmer and Lucile Payne in Seattle on Dec. 27, 1923.
It was on Bainbridge Island where he met his future wife Shirley Kelley in the fifth grade.
Bob attended Roosevelt High School and graduated from the University of Washington where he enrolled in the Naval ROTC, serving in the Pacific during World War II, later retiring as a lieutenant commander. He was a member of the ATO fraternity, a yell leader and was the coxswain for the Huskies varsity rowing team.
He became a CPA starting his own firm, Kelly and Payne with Thomas Kelly and was a CPA for 40 years and an honorary member of the American Institute of CPAs. Bob was a 33rd Degree Mason and involved in many Masonic organizations.
Bob and Shirley were married in 1944. They enjoyed golf, spending time with family, card games (Oh Hell) and lots of cribbage where he counted everyone’s hands. He enjoyed annual camping trips with family at his Vancouver Island property, where he built a cook shed, a boat house, and sleeping platforms. All of his family including his grandchildren learned how to dig holes and clean fish. “You catch it, you clean it” was his motto!
He was a Husky football fan and had season tickets for more than 50 years. On homecoming games, varsity letter winners were acknowledged, and he proudly walked onto the field with his “Big W” blanket. He also traveled to many away games with family and friends.
Bob was a great communicator and storyteller. He had the wonderful gift of making friends and family feel very special. Bob enjoyed traveling. California, Hawaii and Florida were among his favorites. History was important to him. Museums and historical sites were a big part of his agenda. He was fortunate to love and enjoy the companionship of Val Johnson, who his family adores.
Bob is preceded in death by his parents, his wife Shirley of 52 years, his sister Carol Wartelle and his great-grandson Benjamin Ward Towne.
He is survived by his three daughters, Linda (Bob) Towne of Kirkland, Barbara Payne of Poulsbo and Chris (Gary) Williams of Kirkland; six grandchildren, Jeff (Carin) Towne, Brian (Holly) Towne, Deborah (Tom) Headlee, Steven (Heather) Towne, Jennifer(Alex) Barth and Sarah (Jeff) Arbuckle; and 11 great-grandchildren, Ryan, Mason, Gabriel, Cooper, Kiara, Mckenna, Ava, Emily, Avery, Wyatt, Morgan and another on the way.
The family wishes to thank Dr. Ways, all the staff in assisted living at the Hearthstone and Evergreen Hospice for their extraordinary care. The family will have a private memorial.
Remembrances can be made to the Ben Towne Foundation, which supports childhood cancer research at 4616 25th Ave NE., #717, Seattle, WA 98105.
