Robert "Bob" Lane

Robert “Bob” Lane

1933-2025

Born June 18, 1933 in Williamsville, New York, Robert James “Bob” Lane passed away on April 7, 2025 in Puyallup, Washington, at the age of 91. He is survived by his wife, Virginia Lane, with whom he shared 59 years of marriage; their children Stina Lane-Cummings (Kevin) and John Lane (Jennifer); grandchildren Hannah, Celeste, Abigail, and Spencer; his sister Margaret Pittorf; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Bob served in the United States Air Force during the Korean war, stationed at Strategic Air Command bases in the continental United States and England. He learned journalism in the Air Force, leaving as a staff sergeant. He worked on newspapers throughout the mountain west, before moving to Puget Sound in the 1960s to work on The Tacoma News Tribune and learn to sail. Old friends from Montana, Bill and Bev Daniel, introduced him to Virginia Fish, a reporter working for The Bellingham Herald. Bob and Virginia were married in 1966, living in Dash Point and Tacoma before buying a house in the north end that they would live in for more than half a century.

As a reporter for the TNT, Bob covered the police beat and courts, as well as high-profile stories like the eruption of Mount St. Helens. He had a column for many years, “Sidewalks,” reflecting on life in Tacoma. His close acquaintance with police and sheriff deputies lead him to help with Law Enforcement Youth Camp, created by officers and deputies in Pierce County to help at-risk youth whose fathers were already in prison. He served as a union steward at the TNT, representing members of the Pacific Northwest Newspaper Guild.

He collaborated with friend and fellow reporter Win Anderson to turn a dilapidated surplus fire house into Engine House No. 9, a vibrant tavern and restaurant recognized as a Tacoma landmark, still in operation today.

Bob taught sailing classes and art classes, and published the Tacoma Express, a local monthly magazine. He served in various capacities with the Tahoma Unitarian Universalist Congregation, and was an active member of Tacoma Plein Aire Painters and Urban Sketchers. His paintings often featured ships, boats, and shores.

He was an enthusiastic gardener, favoring nasturtiums and tomatoes. Less than a week before he died, he was talking about a new writing project.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Charles Edward Lane Sr. and Helen “Billie” Schultz, sister Muriel Metz, and brother Charles Edward “Chod” Lane Jr.

A memorial service for Bob will be held on Saturday, June 7, at 2 p.m., at Tahoma Unitarian Universalist Congregation: 1115 South 56th St., Tacoma, Wash.