Long-time Vashon resident Bob Childs passed away at his home on Friday, September 17. Bob just celebrated his 92nd birthday on August 15th with family and friends. He was a former teacher, football coach, elementary school principal, and grade school counselor for the Vashon School District for more than 30 years. He continued his education through the years, eventually earning his masters degree, principal papers,

and counselor certification.

Born and raised on a farm in Buhl, Idaho, Bob graduated from the University of Utah and began his teaching career in southern Idaho before joining the Navy near the end of WW II. The Navy moved the family to Seattle in 1948 where he and his wife, Louise, began looking for the ideal location to raise their family of three children. After visiting Vashon Island, they fell in love with it. Bob applied for a teaching position and the family was home. In addition to his career in education, he also worked a variety of summer jobs, including working at Beall Greenhouses and as a commercial fisherman in Alaska.

Bob became involved in many aspects of the school system and the community, and was well known by several generations of Island children and their parents. His love of working with kids was a lifelong pleasure. There are many of his former students who remember him fondly, often inviting him to class reunions over the years.

He retired from full-time teaching in 1978, then became a consultant for the Auburn school district. He and Louise loved to travel, and enjoyed visits to many parts of the US, with a special fondness for the Southwest. After losing Louise in 1996, he continued to reside in his home and enjoyed Island life.

He is survived by daughters, Anne Bieker of Bellingham, WA and Katherine Childs of Spokane, WA; son and daughter-in-law, David Childs and Jan Richardson of Olympia, WA; grandchildren, Rachael Ellison-Taylor (Bieker) of Seattle, Christopher Bieker and Joan Bieker of Vashon, and Kim Luttrell of Vancouver, WA. He is also survived by great-grandchildren, Alyssa & MacKenna Luttrell of Vancouver, WA and long-time friend and housemate, Ray Kolling.

Bob’s family would like to thank the many wonderful people who helped to make his life here meaningful and joyful until the very end. Being out in our community – whether walking through his neighborhood or running errands uptown – he was treated with care, respect, and a tremendous amount of kindness by so many good people. Your friendship was a gift to him and to those of us who loved him.

Bob’s love of laughter, music, and corny limericks will be missed by many. The family is collecting stories about Bob’s life. Anyone wishing to contribute their thoughts, memories or pictures of Bob can email them to bobchildsmemories@gmail.com or send them by regular mail to 5615 SW Point Robinson Road, Vashon, WA 98070. Those wishing to honor Bob’s memory may donate to the Vashon Schools by sending a check listing their preferred program to the Bob Childs Memorial Fund, c/o the Vashon Island School District, P.O. Box 547, Vashon, WA 98070, or Vashon-Maury

Island Heritage Museum.

Paid Obituary