Robert Stanford Tanner

Robert S. Tanner, 90 Robert Stanford Bob Tanner, 90, passed away on March 18, 2017, in Lacey, Washington. He and the love of his life, Barbara, would have celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary on March 23rd. Born on November 11, 1926, in Hoquiam, Washington, Bob was the first child of Arthur and Stella (Ramiskey) Tanner. Throughout much of his childhood, he took on many responsibilities to help his mother and five siblings while his father sought work during the Depression. Like many children of those times, he often walked the railroad tracks collecting chunks of coal for his mother to use in the kitchen stove. His sister called Bob the familys candle in the window. He grew into a man of strong character, genuine compassion, light-hearted humor, and deep faith all tied together with a strong sense of self-reliance. Shortly after graduating from Hoquiam High School, Bob enlisted in the U.S. Navy, serving on active duty from 1944 to 1947. This was followed by another three years in the Naval Reserve. A 1951 graduate of the University of Washington with a B.S. in Forestry, Bob earned his living as a forester and log broker. Wooing his sweetheart, Barbara Johnson, with flowers and peppermint ice cream, the two wed on March 23, 1957. Bob was a Kiwanis president, a Boy Scout troop master, and was active in many civic and United Methodist Church functions in Shelton, Arlington, Olympia, Darrington, and Sedro Woolley. He was a member of the Society of American Foresters and the American Legion. Bob amused willing and able helpers by declaring to the assembled group this is how youd do this if you were by yourself. Bob once cut down an entire 30-foot spruce to get his daughter-in-law her perfect Christmas tree the top 6 feet of it. Bob was fiercely protective of those he loved, or of anyone who appeared vulnerable. As a boy, his only schoolyard fight was when a bully refused to leave another boy alone: Bob made the bully stop. Bob enjoyed fishing, clam digging, and cheering on the UW Huskies and the Seattle Seahawks. Bob Tanner was preceded in death by his brother Don and sisters Patricia and Jean. He is survived by his wife Barbara; his sons and their wives, Gregory (Carol) of Kenmore and Scott (Jan) of Edmonds; also his twin sisters Jackie Luce and Joyce Wilson. He is also survived by three grandchildren whom he loved very much Christopher, Allison, and Steven and numerous nieces and nephews. There will be a memorial service for Robert Tanner at 2:00pm, June 10, 2017, at the First United Methodist Church of Olympia (1224 Legion Way S.E., Olympia, WA 98501). The service will be followed at the church by an informal reception and celebration of life. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Bob Tanners honor to the Panorama Benevolent Fund: web site http://panoramabenevolentfund.org/donate/; or phone 800-999-9807, Ext. 7556.