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Robert Allen Jensen

1935 - 2022

Robert Allen Jensen obituary, 1935-2022, Stanwood, WA

Robert Jensen Obituary

Stanwood - Robert Allen Jensen, aka, R. Allen Jensen, Robert Dante, Backroad Bob, RAJ, et al, a Stanwood resident of 56 years, passed away peacefully on 1/15/2022, age 86, surrounded by his loved ones.

Jensen was a visual artist, Sculptor, installation and performance artist as well as a lecturer and educator. He lost 95% of his sight by 2018, as well as mobility, but his heart and spirit remained vibrant, creating with passion and zeal until January 11th, when he was taken down by a massive stroke.

Jensen had been a major player in the NW Art scene since 1959, when as a junior art major at the University of Washington, he was juried into the then prestigious Northwest Annual held at the Seattle Art Museum. Since then, Bob has been in numerous exhibitions and one- man shows at museums, including MONA, and the Whatcom Museum, with multiple gallery affiliations. Bob was active in Seattle's 1 Percent for Art Program, advocated by the Seattle Office of Arts and Culture, winning 3 commissions. One of his well-known commissioned works, "Stroke," still stands at Green Lake. www.rallenjensen.com

Jensen was professor emeritus from Western Washington University, where he taught budding artists with the same vibrancy and passion of his art for 30 years.

Family includes Kiya and Lonnie Tafoya; Kelly and Eric Slagle; Max and Jen Jensen; Aaron and Seanna Herring-Jensen; Amanda and Brad Knudtsen, Melissa Handy, 20 grandchildren, 8 great grandchildren, first wife, Marsha Valentine, 2nd wife, Nancy Riches; and his trusted dog, Minnie Tonka, who spent many hours on Bob's lap as he created works daily while listening to Mozart, Duke Ellington and The Beatles.

Held in high regard by his friends, colleagues and artists globally. Bob was a romantic at heart. He lived life as it should be lived, with his beloved wife, "Z" Susanna Mantis, creating, dancing and making love to life in body, mind, heart, and soul - every moment of every day of his life. One of his favorite quotes was, "All a man needs is his craft and the love of a good woman." Bob was blessed to have both.

Z and the family will be hosting an outdoor "Carpe Diem" event in March. Please email Z @ [email protected] for specifics. If you're inspired to contribute, smiletrain.org (fixing children with cleft palates) was one of Bob's monthly contributions.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Anacortes American from Feb. 6 to Feb. 9, 2022.

Memories and Condolences
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4 Entries

Vicki hoye may

June 19, 2025

My mother's mother Amanda Jensen was the sister of Bob's dad Allen Jensen. They played in a family band in their younger years before ww1. Rest in peace and condolences to family. Sorry to hear of this loss.

Ursula Andrews

February 13, 2022

Bob was my longtime neighbor and best friend for over 40 years. He was engaged in life on every possible level. Many world events were reflected in his works which always challenged me to look at/reflect on events and art from different perspectives.
Games were a major part of Bob's zest for life, whether it was ping-pong or poole played on homemade tables, a croquet course set up between molehills or badminton on summer evenings, we had FUN.
Thank you Bob, you hold permanent place in my heart.

Craig and Cindy Lemley

February 12, 2022

Bob will always remain my creative hero - his energy for making art and inspiring creativity is unmatched.
A good man gone.

Dale J Seachord

February 9, 2022

Bob lives on in my mind, always there teaching. I have seldom met anyone with his passion and personality. Though it was long ago I stopped being his student it feels like it was yesterday I last talked with him.
Always he will stay with me. Goodbye Bob. Maybe someday I will make something to make you proud of me.
Dale

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