George William "Bill" Robbins

George William "Bill" Robbins

Bill was born in Liberal, Kansas, on May 23, 1922, the second of three sons, and died at home on April 30, 2011. Bill grew up during the Great Depression, and his work as a paper boy and golf caddy at the local country club helped support his family during lean times. At the beginning of World War II, Bill hitchhiked from Kansas to California, where he worked at the Lockhead factory until enlisting in the U.S. Coast Guard in 1942. During Bill's military career, he was stationed at Naval Base Whidbey, where he fell in love with the Pacific Northwest, and after his military service and finishing his BA at Wichita State University, he came back to Western Washington to attend college at the University of Washington. It was while working at the Seattle Public Library that he met a young Seattle University student named Marilyn Erickson and fell in love. Bill and Marilyn married in 1951 and spent their early married life in Coupeville, where Bill taught school. In the mid-'50s, Bill and Marilyn moved to the Olympia area, where Bill taught school for the next 27 years, and where their three children were born and raised.
Bill was a "teacher's teacher" - he truly loved the kids he taught, he loved teaching, and he tried to instill the love of learning into his students for his 30-year teaching career, and for the 15 years of substitute teaching he did after he "retired." One of the traits we will miss most about our dad is his endless interest and curiosity about people, places and the things around him. He never met a person that he wasn't interested in visiting with and, in his travels, he visited places all over the world, bringing back treasures and pictures and new friends from each visit.
Bill was also a Charter Member of the Tumwater Lions Club and was awarded a "Lifetime Membership" for his tireless service in producing a newsletter, selling fireworks and Christmas trees, and generally filling in wherever he was needed. He also was a longtime member of the Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd, where he and his family attended church for many years.
Bill was preceded in death by his wife Marilyn, his two brothers, and his parents. He is survived by three children, Alison Robbins of Olympia, Kathleen McClincy (Mike) of North Bend, and David Robbins of Shoreline; and by two grandchildren, Marisa and Jacob.
In his last few years, Bill suffered from Alzheimers Disease, which robbed him of his curiosity and interest in the world, but because of his two remarkable caregivers, Pablo Ocampo and Allen Anderson, he was able to remain in his home until his death, for which his family is profoundly grateful. We thank Pablo and Allen for the care and affection they gave dad and consider them both to be part of our family. We would also like to thank South Sound Care Connection for introducing us to Pablo and Allen, and Providence Sound Home Care and Hospice for their care in the last weeks of Dad's life.
At Bill's request, there will be no service; instead he will be buried at sea by the U.S. Navy. To leave memories of Bill or condolences for the family, go to www.FuneralAlternatives.org. Arrangements are with Funeral Alternatives of Washington 360-753-1065.