Robert Adrian "Bob" GILLES

1948 - 2021

(Age 73)

Robert "Bob" Adrian Gilles was born in Aberdeen, South Dakota May 30. 1948. He died of a heart attack after a hike while in San Jose, Costa Rica, June 24, 2021.

He is survived by his daughter, Stella Kent; sons Forrest (Jessica), Frank and Jack Gilles and granddaughter Auriana Kent; as well as his first wife Mary Helen Base, second wife Deb Harper, and companion Barbara Brecek. He also leaves his siblings, Monte (Mary) Gilles, Doug Gilles, Ramona "Peach" Zarelli (Tom Salisbury), Brian Kevin (Kathleen) Gilles, Rebecca (John) Aldrich and numerous nieces and nephews.

Bob had a tough early life after his parents moved to Washington State marked by hunger and violence in his home. As the oldest child he tried hard to take care of his brothers and sisters. He left home at age 14, got a job, lived in a friend's basement and went to Bellarmine Prep where he made lifelong friends.

He had a rocky start at Bellarmine because he didn't have glasses, but once he got them, he excelled and graduated in the top of his class despite hitchhiking to and from school and work each day, having one pair of pants per year and one pair of glasses for all of his high school journey.

He attended Gonzaga University on a wrestling scholarship. Bob worked two and sometimes three jobs at a time, to support himself all through high school and college and supplement his well-earned scholarships. His favorite was working as the House Parent in a Dominican orphanage near GU. Going to each school conference for each child was a big job and one he enjoyed.

He was drafted into the US Army during the Vietnam War. However, Robert was a staunch pacifist, and refused to fight in the war. For this he faced the possibility of imprisonment but was eventually accepted as a Conscientious Objector and was able to perform alternative service by working at Goodwill in Spokane.

He married after college and had daughter Stella.

He started taking Karate lessons while a teen and always told people he was "a beginner", teaching kids at the Salvation Army and then negotiating with the Spokane Club to teach their kids and bring his Salvation Army students with him.

After college he began teaching high school math and history, first in Morton, Washington and then at Gonzaga Prep. He coached wrestling in both schools.

While teaching he began renovating rental homes and left teaching to manage real estate and become a realtor. He loved that job because he loved an excuse to stay in touch with people. He always joked he was a five Roladex guy (people under 40, ask your parents).

He remarried in 1986 and raised his three sons Forrest, Frank and Jack

He had an exceedingly rare cancerous tumor in his chest, diagnosed in 2008. He said he wasn't fighting cancer; he was dancing with it. He survived against long odds with especial thanks to Drs. Steve Nisco, Bruce Cutter and Jan Mueller.

People might think Bob's early traumas would have left him bitter. Instead, he became a consummate optimist and a fighter for all underdogs, working with the homeless community, communities of color, and people in need of a helping hand or mentoring. His efforts and energy in the fight to improve the lives of others earned him the sobriquet "the despicable Mr. Gilles" in a Spokesman-Review letter to the editor – a title he wore with pride until his death.

Our family would like to thank his landlady Dra. Soledad Soleno and caregiver Miriam Noguera for their help during his last days. They are two special people and made Bob's last days good ones.

Bob's memorial service will be Saturday, July 24 at the Women's Club, 1428 W 9th Ave., Spokane, 99204, 6:00-8:00 PM. After the service will be food, dancing and conversation.