Robert Vernon REES

1949 - 2024

1949 - 2024

Bob passed away peacefully on Wednesday, July 17th, 2024. He was lovingly surrounded by family and his incredible care team at Holy Family Hospital.

Bob was born on May 12th, 1949, to Buel and Mabel Rees in Spokane, WA. He graduated from Central Valley High School and Eastern Washington University. Bob served the Spokane Valley Fire Department for over 30 years as an engineer. He was a member of the Army Reserve and retired as a captain from the Air National Guard. Bob also took pride in his creative and skilled work as a bricklayer whose projects can be found throughout the greater Spokane area.

Bob was a passionate and dedicated husband, father, grandfather, uncle, brother, and friend. He enjoyed vegetable and flower gardening, hunting and fishing, cooking, cycling, and music. What made Bob most happy was spending time with friends and family, especially at Silver Lake. Bob set a high bar through his work ethic and generosity. His community of family and friends would all agree that Bob's strengths were found is his unwavering positivity, and his kindness, patience, and supportive nature.

Bob is survived by his wife, Patti Rees; children: Bob (Carly) Rees, Joe (Kori) Rees, and Jackie (Billy) Page; and seven grandchildren: Jacob Joseph, Annabelle Marie, Sophia Rose, Oliver Andrew, Ally Rae, Rees William, and Jack Grayson. Additionally, Bob is survived by his brother, John (Cyd) Rees; and sisters, Susan Eastman-Phillips (Michael Phillips) and Rebecca (Darryl) Walters. Bob, along with Patti, also mentored and supported Josh Kling through the friendship family program at Hutton Settlement. Bob was extremely proud of his family. He was a shining example of someone who humbly and consistently made the effort to listen to people, empathize, and show up for them. Bob would always say "don't worry, I've got your back" and it was genuine. He was the real deal!

A celebration of Bob's life will be held at Saint Mary Catholic Parish in the Spokane Valley on Friday, September 6th, at 1:00pm. The celebration will continue at Sullivan Valley Commons, 2818 N. Sullivan Rd. Suite 100, from 3:00pm - 6:00pm, where we'll raise a glass and share our favorite stories of this incredible man.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation, www.pulmonaryfibrosis.org.