Bob Ellis

June 27, 1933 – December 22, 2025

Bob Ellis began his journey west in Cleveland Ohio in 1933. He was raised in Waukegan, Illinois where he grew up playing tennis and enjoying life along Lake Michigan with friends from his Waukegan Methodist Church community. He graduated from the University of Illinois in 1954 and four years later he received his Master of Divinity Degree from Iliff School of Theology in Denver, Colorado.

During his 22 years as a minister in Idaho Springs, Bob and his wife Marilyn raised their daughters, Lisa and Becky.

Bob was committed to his ministry and his community. He connected two churches and worked alongside many faith denominations. He served on the Clear Creek County School Board for 12 years, provided ministerial support during crises and promoted ski school for young children.

Bob retired from pastoral ministry in 1988. He and his wife, Carol, headed West and celebrated their first wedding anniversary on Vashon Island. Bob worked for Olympic Instruments on Vashon, retiring in 1999.

In addition to his love for his family, friends, the church, the community, and his dogs, Bob enjoyed cooking, planting Japanese Maples, reading detective books, jigsaw puzzles, figuring out how to use gadgets, wandering about grocery stores, and telling stories to lighten our days.

Bob loved the pathways of life and lightened the life of many.

He is survived by his wife, Carol, his daughters, Becky Parker (Kevin Parker), and Lisa Claybrook, his stepsons, James Lane, (Kit Gianus), Ken Lane (Cary Lane), Mike Lane, (Erin Suda), and his stepdaughter Susan Schardein (Brad Schardein), his sister, Marcie Eifert and 5 nieces and nephews. Bob left ten grandchildren whom he loved dearly.

A celebration of Bob’s life will be held at Vashon United Methodist Church at 11 a.m. Saturday, February 7.