Robert E Nice

Robert Emmanuel Nice AKA: Bob, Dad, Pa, Gramps, PaBob, Pop-Pop, Grampy and G-Pa Bob passed away quietly in his sleep on June 1st. His parents Elmer and Della Nice, brothers Leroy, Norman and Eugene Nice preceded him in death. He was a devoted husband to Arlene for 54 years, father of Brent Nice (Kelli), Debra Hodges (Don) and Judy Rea (Tony), grandfather of Jason Bay (Ericka), Marc Bay, Christopher Rea (Trisha), Matthew Bay (Heather), Angela Crane (Mike), Bekah Rice (Mary) and Rob Nice, great grandfather of Charles, Craig, Anthony, Kylee, Kaycee and Madison, a best friend, mentor and hero to all. Bob graduated from Sumner High School in 1950. During the Korean War he was stationed at Fort Richardson in Anchorage, AK and later worked as a carpenter for Tacoma Boat. His career a Tacoma Firefighter began in 1955. He moved from Tacoma in 1963 to the farm in Graham where the entire family grew up. After retiring in 1982 as a Battalion Chief, he was happy to be able to devote his time to the family and the farm. A talented craftsman, Robert could build, do or fix almost anything (bailing wire and duct tape were a staple). He shared his skills with the next three generations. He could and would strike up a conversation with anyone and in short order would know every detail of that person’s life. Bob treated everyone as a friend, focusing his warmth and genuine interest on them all. He loved a little gossip now and then, a good joke, hard work, reminiscing, history, good movies, was a master story teller. Above all he cherished the time spent with his family. He was a good man, deeply loved and will be missed by all who loved him. A tribute to Bob’s life and legacy will be held on June 11th at 3:00 PM, Graham Emmanuel Baptist Church, 22316 – 106th Ave E in Graham. The family requests donations to the Firefighters’ Burn Center in lieu of flowers. www.fireburncenter.org