Robert Garland 'Bob' Wark

Robert Garland “Bob” Wark

Robert Garland “Bob” Wark died on March 30 at his home in Tumwater at the age of 95. He was born on April 6, 1930, in Detroit, Michigan, to Mary Garland and James Evert Wark.

He grew up in nearby Ann Arbor, attended Bucknell University and the University of Washington from which he received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism.

 At the UW, he met Patricia Ann Stollery whom he would marry on Sept. 10, 1953, while on active duty during the Korean war as a Coast Guard officer. He and Pat would spend the next 69 years together.

On his return to civilian life, the couple moved to Richland, where Bob began a 37-year career in employee communication and public relations, first with General Electric’s Hanford plant, then with North American Aviation in Los Angeles, Washington’s Superintendent of Public Instruction, and finally 23 years with the State Board for Community College Education (SBCCE). During his last years with the SBCCE, he doubled as administrator of the Trustees Association of Community Colleges. He served a year as president of the national community college public information association, another as president of Lacey Rotary and several as co-director of North Thurston Citizens for Schools.

Bob and Pat retired together in 1992, then traveled by air and sea to 22 countries, including two trips to Australia, where Pat’s father had been born. They frequently visited Hawaii and twice cruised to Alaska. They enjoyed boating on Puget Sound, attending dixie land jazz festivals and spending time at the ocean. Being with their family was their favorite pastime.

Bob is survived by his daughter Carolyn (Cissy) Fontenot, her husband John and their daughters Mary (Erik) and Sara (Hayden); son Mike, his wife Linda and their boys Max (Grace) and Alex; and son Jim, his wife Kendall and their daughter Grace.

A Celebration of Life will be held on June 6, from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., at the Percival House, 217 Thurston Ave. NW in Olympia.