Robert Moberly Pritchett

Robert Moberly Pritchett, 80, a retired music and carpentry teacher and U.S. Army veteran, died on October 22, 2012 of cancer at his home in Ellensburg.

He was born on December 1, 1931 in Albuquerque, NM. He was raised in Spokane, WA, and graduated from Spokane High School. He competed in track and received 1st in sate in 1951. He attended Gonzaga University, in Spokane, WA, BYU in Provo, UT, and CWU in Ellensburg. He received his Bachelor of Arts Degree in music.

Robert served in the U.S. Army and in 1953 was stationed at Hanford Nuclear Operations. On August 5, 1955, he married Carole Hansen in Ellensburg, WA, and their marriage was sealed in 1955 in Idaho Falls, ID. Robert worked in various schools as a music and general construction teacher.

He was orchestra and choir director for his church. He was a member of the Portland Symphony, Seattle Symphony, and Longview Symphony. He was a "Many Sounds of 9" band member and music and orchestra director, "The Aleutian Solution" band director, old time fiddlers member, "The Connections" member, lead guitar-music arrangements, band and orchestra, playing all instruments and specializing in bass fiddle and violin. He taught lessons for string instruments, repaired and tuned pianos, and rebuilt musical instruments. He also volunteered for Fish Food Bank.

He is survived by his wife Carole Pritchett of Ellensburg, WA; daughter, Mary Smith (Antowin) of St. Louis, MO; sons, Robert Pritchett (Thelma) of Richland, WA, John Pritchett (Ellen) of Lynwood, WA, George Pritchett (Shari) of Puyallup, WA, Thomas Pritchett (Pam) of North Bend, WA; sisters, Doris Horlacher and Katherine Allen (David); brother, David Pritchett (Arda); 27 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his father and mother, Bert Edward Pritchett and Orla Katherine Moberly Pritchett; brother, John Pritchett; and his son, James Pritchett.

Viewing will be 6-8 p.m. Friday at Steward & Williams Tribute Center. A funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, October 27, at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints on Magnolia St. in Ellensburg, WA with burial to follow at High Valley Cemetery. Arrangements are under the care of Steward & Williams Tribute Center. Condolences may be left for the family at www.steward-williams.com.