Robbie G. "Bob" Lightfoot

1928 - 2008

On Aug. 5, 2008, four days after his 80th birthday, Robbie G. Lightfoot was welcomed at Heaven's gate to his gift of eternal life.

Bob was born Aug. 1, 1928, in America, Okla., the first child of Sidney and Grace (Roberds) Lightfoot.

Jobs were scarce in the south at that time and Bob's father moved his family from crop to crop. While in Arkansas, he heard about job openings in Longview and traveled west alone to seek steady employment. In 1936, he sent for Grace, Bob and his sister, Anne, and Longview became their permanent home.

Bob celebrated his eighth birthday on the bus from Arkansas. The bus driver made special arrangements for him to have a memorable day, stopping to view a parade in one of the cities on their route. Bob had a knack for making everything fun and became popular in his new neighborhood by fashioning rubber guns for many hours of fun. He never lost his "young-at-heart" mentality.

He attended St. Helens, Kessler and R.A. Long schools. He left high school in his senior year to join the Navy, planning to serve aboard ship. After 18 months in Guam, he left the Navy and came home to earn his diploma. He is considered a graduate of the class of 1946.

He found work at Weyerhaeuser until the strike of 1948, was a Safeway clerk, worked for the Burlington Northern Railway and then found employment at the Port of Longview in 1955. He retired from the port in 1984.

Bob enjoyed competitive games, and had an aptitude for all card games and backgammon. He was city ping pong champion for two years and a handball tournament champion at the YMCA. He was an avid reader and had an inquiring mind. If he wished to undertake anything that interested him, he would read all he could on the subject and then become proficient at it. The only thing that frustrated him was the game of golf, and he had many books in his library about the game. Bob also enjoyed all kinds of music and poetry, and was an excellent dancer.

Bob's favorite volunteer role was with Dr. Wendell Kirkpatrick's Scout Troop #330 as assistant scoutmaster. Many interesting tales have been told and retold about the adventures of the boys. He was proud of the many boys who earned Eagle Scout. He was a charter member of the Sunrise Lions Club. He was named King Lion and also earned the Secretary's Efficiency Award for Multiple District #19.

His joys included jogging Lake Sacajawea, the many trips to the San Juans in his sailboat "Wind Song" and taking the travel trailer to California and Arizona as snowbirds. A great memory was the three-month trip through the United States with friends, Stan and Gloria Greig, in their motorhome.

He was a wise, witty, kind and generous gentleman and a devoted son, brother, husband, father, grandfather and friend. He leaves a lasting legacy through his witness and example.

Surviving him are his wife of 58 years, Jacqueline; a son, Brian Lightfoot of Longview; a daughter, Debra Connors of Silver Lake; two sisters, Anne (Verle) Griffiths of Longview and Susan (Craig) Hansen of Vashon Island, Wash.; a brother, Don (DeAnne) Lightfoot of Longview; and four grandchildren, Josh (Noelle) Connors, Jordan Connors, Aaron Beaudet and Meggen Jones. Also surviving are two sisters-in-law, Joyce (Jerry) Saurman of Benicia, Calif., and Diane Curry of Ocean Park; and numerous nephews and nieces.

Preceding him were his parents and a brother, Charles.

A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Monday at Calvary Community Church, 2655 38th, in Longview with Pastor Galen Conrad officiating.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Community Home Health & Hospice, P.O. Box 2067, Longview, WA 98632.

Arrangements are by Steele Chapel at Longview Memorial Park & Crematory.

Please sign the guest book at www.tdn.com/obits.