Robert A. Chervenak

Robert A. CHERVENAK, FAIA May 26 1924 ~ May 8 2010 Bob was born in Tacoma, Washington and graduated from Lincoln High School in 1942. He served in the U.S. Army Air Corps, Strategic Bombing Survey, as a photographer during World War II in France, Germany and Japan. Bob studied architecture atthe University of Washington and was a recipient of the American Institute of Architects (AIA) Gold Medal, was a member of theTau Sigma Delta Architectural Honorary Fraternity and graduated with honors at the top of his class. While a student at the U of W, Bob met Louise Osborne and the two were married in Wenatchee on June 26 1948. Following graduation, Bob formed the architectural firm Grant, Copeland and Chervenak. For the next 20 years, the firm designed over 350 churches, as well as commercial buildings and residences through out the west coast and Alaska. Bob designed a number of award winning projects including St. Peter's Episcopal Church in Seattle and Our Savior's Lutheran Church in Everett, both Honor Award winners. He served as president of his own congregation, Pilgrim Lutheran Church in 1958 and designed the parsonage, fellowship hall, education building and new sanctuary for the growing congregation. In 1966 the firm received a National AIA Merit Award for their design of the Hugo Winkenwerder Forest Science Laboratory on the University of Washington campus. From 1960 to 1974 he taught asan Associate Professor of Architecture at the U of W in addition to his private practice and was awarded an AIA Fellowship in 1975. Significant projects of this era include Blodel Hall, the American Red Cross Building and the King County Medical Building, all in Seattle. At Central Washington University in Ellensburg, he designed the Language Literature and Psychology buildings. Other works include the Oroville State Bank, an elementary school and U.S. Post Office in Tonasket, and the Manson High School near Lake Chelan. Bob's hobbies included racing outboard hydroplanes, teaching skiing at Snoqualmie Pass, red sports cars, boat building, salmon fishing, duck hunting and Husky Football. He often enjoyed his Bertram during trips to Anacortes. Bob was preceded in death by his parents, Michael and Teresa Chervenak, brother Mike Chervenak, and sister Alice Evans. He is survived by his wife of 62 years Louise, daughter Carol Chervenak (Bill Barish), sons Tim (Vicki), Dave (Brenda), nephew Mike Chervenak and niece Nadine Kreutzer, in addition to 3 grandchildren, Will Chervenak, Peter and Michael Barish and many friends. Bob Chervenak died of natural causes on May 8, 2010. A memorial service will be held at Pilgrim Lutheran Church in Bellevue at 1:00 pm, Saturday, May 15.