June 2, 1934 - September 27, 2014

Bob was born June 2, 1934 to Lynn and Phyllis (Paul) Elder in Seattle, WA and died September 27, 2014 in Lake Stevens, WA. He was married to Vivian Schults and had 3 children with her. Bob married Claudia Wiborg (Crothers) on June 2, 1973 and they were married until his death.

Bob joined the Naval Reserves at 17 and served for 8 years traveling to bases including New Orleans, San Diego, San Francisco and Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. He worked as an auto mechanic in his early years and then took over his Dad’s furnace servicing business, Elder Heating Service, which he proudly ran until the day he died, with the exception of a short stint as a serviceman for Rossoe Heating.

In Bob’s personal life he was a master at learning. He would take on an interest and throw himself into it until he became an expert and never lost his thirst for knowledge. He also knew no fear or at least never showed it. Bob raced cars, motorcycles and hydroplanes. He learned sailing, rock climbing and became an accomplished airplane pilot. Bob was a life long hunter and fisherman. He hiked parts of the Crest Trail with his parents and brother Phil. He also tandem jumped from an airplane at the age of 70 but said, “It was just a bunch of air up my nose.”

If you knew Bob, he was always ready to take you on an adventure and everyone had fun. Bob was one of those people who left a positive impression on everyone he met. It was so impressive that I once asked him how he did it. He said if you try, you can always find something you have in common with anyone and build a relationship from there. He was the best at it.

His kids will remember him for his loving kindness, his sense of adventure and his incredible generosity with everything he had. He taught us to be responsible and to always be kind to others. Bob was preceded in death by his parents and his granddaughters Melissa and Kimberly.

He left behind his wife Claudia, his brother Phillip Elder (Sandy), his children Lynn Elder (Sean), Vickie Elder (Robert), Bob Elder, Jr. (Liz), his stepchildren Chris Wiborg, Brent Wiborg (Rowena), Glenn Wiborg, Lisa Ivey (Ken) and 13 grandchildren.

Private internment will be held at Evergreen Washelli at a future date. Rest In Peace Dad.

 

FUNERAL INFORMATION

Private internment will be held at Evergreen Washelli Cemetery at a future date.