Robert Glenn Nolen

Bob, 81, passed away on August 31, 2013, at his home in University Place, doing what he enjoyed most, sitting in the sunshine with his wife Peggy at his side and best friend Denis Timmerman. He was born August 6, 1932 in Spokane, WA, to Dorothy and Robert R. Nolen. His childhood was spent in Montana and teen years in Yakima, WA. After serving two years in the U.S. Army, he met and married Peggy in Augusta, GA. Bob enjoyed along career in retail sales including Kelly Furniture, self-employed at Nolen Furniture, and retirement from Harkness Furniture. He sold women’s shoes, first in Georgia then Seattle, and Lakewood (Leeds at the Villa Plaza). Bob is survived by his loving wife of 57 years Peggy, daughter Gail (David) Dawson, grandchildren Garrett and Elisa, sisters Darlene (Herb) McDaniel and Wanita Bohay, and many nieces, nephews and their children, numerous extended family members and friends. Preceding him in death: sister Wanda and husband Everett Tackett; brother Ron; and brother-in-law Rick Bohay. Bob loved life to the fullest, especially people. He was a big-hearted gentleman who never met a stranger. The family would like to thank Dr. Arthur Knodel and staff at Tacoma General Hospital for the wonderful, compassionate care our loved one received. A Celebration of Life will be held on Sunday, September 22, 2013, at 2:00 p.m., at Chambers Creek Regional Park, the Environmental Services Bldg., 9850 64th St. W., University Place, WA 98467. In Bob’s memory, the family suggests a donation to your favorite charity. * * * Bob was an avid reader of everything -- which included the phone book in any town we happened to stay in overnight. A history buff for sure – Peggy ordered “A History of Georgia” for a reference in her genealogy search and Bob read the book. The World Almanac has always been a favorite read. Languages especially Spanish has been an interest for many years, lots of those books are in his library. He could read Spanish without too much trouble -- sometimes speaking a word or two with Elisa and anyone else who would listen. He did watch the Spanish speaking station on television, too. He enjoyed the great outdoors--stream fishing was a favorite from his early days. Living on an aunt’s “ranch” in Montana, access to streams was just a short hike. Most logging communities they lived in were situated on rivers which served as fishing or swimming holes. It didn’t take him long to find good fishing areas close to Tacoma—may have started with Denis and a few neighbors in Lakewood. Favorite fishing areas included Eatonville and Morton. He would fish anywhere – lakes, streams, Puget Sound, Westport or Canada. Favorite mountain streams were up around Eatonville and Morton. The fisherman started golfing – it became easier to find a golf course and spend time outside with his buddies. Rick Bohay probably started his interest in golf. They usually played golf every visit we had, in Washington, California, Idaho, Nevada, and anyplace else we travelled to. Locally, he and Larry Smeltser covered quite a few different courses, and when they finished they might land in a Casino for a little respite. The card game of Cribbage was another of those things consistently played when Bob and Rick got together. Last Christmas he and Elisa had a few rounds—he was pleasantly surprised at her interest and skill of the game. In 1958, the Greshams (Henry, Shirley and Chuck) became our steadfast friends and we learned to play Canasta then Pinochle. As small children Chuck and Gail wondered what was so funny about the cards we played with, since we spent hours at the game. His interest in music was varied—his collection includes everything from early Grand Ole Opry and today’s Country Western to Symphony. Choosing favorites has been difficult – from funny honky-tonk ballads to classical. He was always ready to go for a ride—he never tired of seeing something new – and really enjoyed showing off the State to folks from elsewhere. Auto trips were an adventure. Thanks to baby sister Nita and Rick’s planning we saw most of the Southwest by car and we took a couple of cruises: to Mexico, and from Hawaii to Fanning Island. Hawaii was an ideal vacation spot, shared with Denis and Deanna Timmerman for the first time in 1988. Two years ago we were fortunate to have a couple of road trips with Herb and Darlene to Eastern Washington, Idaho and the Columbia Basin to Portland. He loved the game of baseball –he played on his high school team--and went to as many of Garrett’s games as he could.For the past few years he followed the Seattle Mariners on television, with continuing comments to and from David on the phone (if they weren’t in the same place). Football was the next best sport – the Seahawks and local college teams his favorites. Recently he watched the opening professional soccer game in Seattle and was impressed. We called him a “cookie monster” because he had a sweet tooth – never missing a chance to munch on goodies. Friend Donna kept him supplied in freezer jam. Of course, he preferred her homemade to sugar-free varieties bought at the store. When he ate in a restaurant, he was sure to pick up a chocolate mint on the way out. He and friend Denis Timmerman formed a little partnership and invested in a real estate venture in the early seventies. That helped Bob open his own furniture store in 1978 after Kelly Furniture was dissolved due to the death of the owner John Kelly in 1977. Family genealogy was on his agenda to research more, with the help of Herb and Darlene who have already done so much. He was looking forward to using the computer again, for fun not work. He was a much loved husband, father, papa, brother, uncle, cousin and friend of many, and we will miss him dearly.