Robert H. "Bob" Guthrie

It is with the hope of heaven that we announce the passing of Robert Harold Guthrie, age 95, on July 12, 2025, at the Whatcom Hospice House in Bellingham, Washington. Robert died of cancer. We are thankful he is now whole and with his Savior. Robert, often called Bob, was born in Wenatchee, Washington on February 14, 1930 to his parents Clarence and Lucille Guthrie. Bob's siblings are Mary Ellen Scharff- age 96 (deceased), Ruth Ballard- age 92, Dots Roberts- age 84, and Dick Guthrie- age 77. Born in the depression, his family lived for Bob's first ten years in a small home in Wenatchee. Around age ten, the family moved onto land in East Wenatchee where they raised chickens, cows, pigs, and tended beehives. The homestead had Black and English walnut trees, cherry trees, apricot trees, a peach tree, strawberries, raspberries, and wild blackberries. Lucille grew a big beautiful garden. Bob spend a lot of time climbing trees and jumping off the chicken coop into haystacks. His teenage summers were spent camping at Lake Chelan, Sun Lakes, and Coeur d'Alene. Bob graduated from Wenatchee High School in 1948. As a wartime veteran, Bob always held a great love for his country. Bob begun his business studies at Whitworth College, but joined the Army during the Korean War. He served in the army for two years from October 1952 to August 1954. Bob was one of six soldiers out of 200 selected for and then graduated from the Infantry Leadership School in Camp Roberts, California. Bob was selected to lecture on general army subjects to groups of 200 to 400 men. As Bob was sailing with his follow soldiers to enter open combat, the Korean Armistice Agreement was signed, ending the war. He was still assigned to keep the peace for an extended season in Korea before returning home. Throughout his life, Bob looked for conversational partners of the Korean language. Korean was a language skill he was very proud of. Bob's University of Washington Business Administration Bachelor's degree in 1959 provided several financial occupations. While at the University, he mailed his laundry home to Wenatchee where his mom and sister Dots would clean and iron the clothes and mail them back. Bob was a member of the Delta Upsilon Fraternity. The 59 year marriage made in heaven to Helen Waggoner in Portland, Oregon took place at St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church on August 7, 1965. The new couple started their family with Helen's young son, Scott Boss, age 5. They decided to begin a new adventure in California, where Bob would go to seminary and Helen would teach elementary school. His Masters of Divinity from the American Baptist Seminary of the West in 1968 launched Bob's years of ministry. Throughout his ministry he served as a preacher, small group pastor, hospital chaplain, counselor, and airport chaplain. His first pastoral staff position was at First United Methodist Church in Wenatchee with Pastor Paul Peterson. Next, he served as a hospital chaplain at Deaconess and Rosewood Hospital, in Wenatchee, Washington. While there, he wrote an ongoing column entitled the "Chaplain's Corner" for the Newspaper, The Wenatchee World. Bob also served as a hospital chaplain at Oral Robert's City of Faith Hospital in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Years later, many of Bob's discoveries in his life's journey were documented in his book, Ultimate Survivors: Overcoming Life's Greatest Challenges. Bob wrote about how to embrace God's process of restoration and remain confident in God's best plan for our lives. Fatherhood took on a special meaning for Bob as the number of children in his home continued to grow. Lisa Meyer, Lori Simmons, and Dan Guthrie joined the family as they were living in Wenatchee, Washington. During which time, they attended Bethesda Christian Center with inspirational Pastor Larry Titus. Later, the family moved to Beaverton, Oregon where they worshipped at Beaverton Foursquare Church with beloved Pastor Ron Mehl. Years later, Bob and Helen followed their adult children to the Seattle area. They became active members of Hope Christian Church in Burien with visionary Pastor Anthony Simmons. Bob and Helen's great commitment to Christ was demonstrated through their dedication to church attendance, Christian concerts, private schools for their children, worship music, memorizing precious promises, and family devotional times. Bob's favorite moments were his quality times with family. Vacations at the Oregon Coast and Black Butte Ranch in Sisters, Oregon with biking, hiking, and spending time in nature were a high priority. "Tiny Tim and Blackie the Mouse" stories were created during the family's long car rides. Family games of Hide-and-Seek, Kick Ball, Blind Man's Bluff, and Kick the Can were frequent family favorites. With much excitement, wrestling matches with dad resulted in pinned children being told to say, "I'm a turkey. I'm a turkey!" To which the child would joyfully reply with, "Dad, You're a turkey. You're a turkey!" Bob enjoyed telling humorous stories and saying witty one-liners. He always played with his children and grandchildren on the playground with as much gusto as the youngest present. Bob is survived by his wife Helen and children, Scott (Cara) Boss, Lisa (James) Meyer, Lori (Anthony) Simmons, and Dan Guthrie. His grandchildren from Scott and Cara Boss are Jessica (Quentin) Brady, Andrea (Austin) McCullough, and Kirsten Boss. His great-grandchildren of Andrea and Austin McCullough are Juniper and Theodore. His grandchildren from Jim and Lisa Meyer are Melody (Nick) Eastman, Eliana, Obadiah, and Moses. His great-grandchildren of Melody and Nick Eastman are Elichai, Ezekiel, and Emmalyn. His grandchildren from Anthony and Lori Simmons are Paul (Julia), Mario (Sarai), Rachel, Caleb and Joy. His great-grandchildren from Paul and Julia Simmons are Abigail and Mary Jo. Funeral arrangements are entrusted to Gillies Funeral Home and Cremation services. To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Robert "Bob", please visit our floral store.