Robert H. Hendrickson

Robert (Bob) H. HENDRICKSON Died suddenly January 20, 2009 at Valley Medical Center in Renton. He was born September 24, 1919 in Duluth, Minnesota to parents who immigrated from Sweden and Norway. At about age 2 he moved with his family to Puyallup. During High School he worked for the Ralph Schmitt Pharmacy deciding then he wanted to be a pharmacist. In pursuit of that dream he became a Cougar, enrolling at Washington State College in 1937. Unable to afford his second year of college he spent a year working at a mink farm and on the railroad out of Stampede Pass. During his senior year of college, he enlisted in the Army Air Corps. He was allowed to finish his schooling and obtain his Washington State Pharmacist license. He was called to the service to train as a fighter pilot in P-38's and P-51's. While in flight school he married Jeanellen (Jean) Calkins of Tacoma, in Bakersfield, California. Soon after their marriage, Bob was sent to England to fly combat missions over France and Germany. His missions included more than one on D-Day as part of the Normandy invasion providing top cover to the landing troops and supporting ships. During his tour of duty he flew 67 combat missions. The planes he flew were always named "My Jeanie." He was honorably discharged from the Army Air Corps in 1945. As a registered Pharmacist he came to Renton to replace the departing pharmacist, John Austin, who was going to open his own drug store. The two hit it off and decided to become partners and sealed their agreement with a handshake. With the help of their wives, June and Jean, the Austin-Hendrickson Pharmacy opened in May 1946 on 3rd and Shattuck in Renton. At that time it was the fifth drug store in downtown Renton and given little chance of success. To the contrary, that store outlasted the other four and was the beginning of A & H Stores which continues in business today. In addition to working in his business Bob was a member and president of the Renton School Board; one of several driving forces behind the building of the Lakeridge Swim Club; chairman of the King County Pharmacy Association, the Washington State Pharmacy Association and the Renton Chamber of Commerce; and, winner of pharmacy's Bowl of Hygeia award and Renton Chamber's Young Man of the Year award. In addition to his family and his work, Bob enjoyed the woods. He took an annual week-long hunting trip until well into his 70's. He and Jean backpacked on their own in the 1960's, 70's and 80's and with their sons and grandkids in the 1990's. Bob is survived by his best friend and wife of 65+ years, Jean; 3 of 4 siblings, Louise (Al) Good, Jim Hendrickson, Virginia (Steig) Osman; 4 children, Janine (Dennis) Mix, Richard (Wendy) and Stacey (Joey) all of Auburn, and Scott (Maxine Norris) of Phoenix, Arizona; 6 grandchildren, Robert, Leslie, Bryce, Kalissa, Evan and Cullen; and, scores of beloved relatives and friends. On Friday, February 6 at 10:30 a.m., for family only, there will be a military service and interment of ashes at Tahoma National Cemetery. A public memorial service will be held that afternoon at 2:30 p.m. at St. Luke's Episcopal Church in Renton. A reception will follow at the church. If you wish to honor Bob, in lieu of flowers, please make a donation to your favorite charity.