Robert Cummins

1949 - 2021

Robert (Bob) Swalwell Cummins, born March 27, 1949 passed from his battle with pancreatic cancer on July 24 this year. He was born to Robert (Pufty) Irving Cummins and Margaret (Mardy) Swalwell Cummins in Everett, WA where he lived most of his life.

Bob played football, basketball, and baseball and graduated from Everett High School in 1967. He then attended University of Washington, rowed his freshman and sophomore years and graduated in 1971.

Bob married Barb (Lagozzino) in 1972 and shortly thereafter moved to Davenport, IA to attend Palmer College of Chiropractic, where he graduated in 1976.

Bob practiced Chiropractic in Bellevue, WA from 1977 to 1995. He was active in Washington State politics working to ensure chiropractic insurance coverage for Washington citizens. During this time, he also served on the Washington State Regulatory Board to promote the practice of safe and professional chiropractic. In the early 90's, he helped merge several competing state chiropractic associations into one body and was the founding President of the Washington State Chiropractic Association. He retired from his chiropractic practice in 1995.

As their three children grew, Bob loved building tree forts with his kids, taking his family on saltwater campouts and mountain camping, and beloved regular family trips to Lake Chelan. When Bob and Barb's children became involved in high school sports, his attention returned to a sport where he would remain forever involved.

In 1996, Bob began his second career as a boat builder at the storied Pocock Racing Shells factory in Everett, where he helped build racing shells for the University of Washington and other elite and recreational programs across the country. After becoming an accomplished rowing referee, Bob was intensely involved at both the Everett Rowing Association and founding the Lake Stevens Rowing Club in 1995, where he was active in leadership to his passing. In love with the sport, Bob saw how it could bring people together and his infectious enthusiasm drew hundreds to rowing.

Bob leaves his wife, Barb, of 49 years, children Angie Sievers (Pat), Bob Cummins, Jr. (Anna), Jo Anne Koshelnik (Kurt), 12 grandchildren; sisters, Cathy Dire (Mike), Jane Brown (Daun), and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews. In his home away from home, Bob leaves many friends at the Lake Stevens Rowing Club, the greater Lake Stevens Community, and the Rowing Community across the United States and British Columbia.

A Celebration of Life is planned for Saturday, September 25, 2021 at 1:00pm with a short program at 2:00pm, North Cove Park in Lake Stevens, WA. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Bob Cummins Memorial Fund, www.lakestevensrowing.org or www.pancan.org/donate to further pancreatic cancer research.

If you have pictures of Bob you would like to share, please send to angela@ahugepro.com by September 14, 2021.

March 27, 1949 - July 24, 2021