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John Robischon Obituary

John Michael Robischon

John Michael Robischon was born February 12, 1930 in Kalispell, Montana and died August 5, 2009 in Olympia, Washington. He was the youngest of seven children.
He grew up an outdoor enthusiast with many hours spent hiking, fishing and camping in the Big Sky Country. John graduated from Kalispell High School in 1948. On August 24, 1952 he married his high school sweetheart, Gwen Shaw. He went on to receive his Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering from Montana State University.
In 1957 he moved to Olympia with his wife, Gwen, and their young family. John worked as an engineer for the City of Olympia and as an engineer and surveyor with Swift and Associates until accepting the position of City Engineer for the City of Tumwater. In 1969, he and his wife, Gwen, founded South Sound Utility Company and began acquiring satellite water systems in Thurston County. In 1971, he founded a second company, Robischon Engineers, that specialized in the design of community water systems. Dad was a pioneer in the design, construction, operation and ownership of these small community water systems. He even received a patent for his invention of an innovative system control component. South Sound Utility Company (SSU) grew to forty water systems in three counties serving more than 3,500 families before it was sold to California Water Service Company in 1999. Robischon Engineers was sold to California Water Service Company in 2001.
Dad was diagnosed with early onset Alzheimer's after selling the engineering company and retiring. He faced this new season of his life with courage, strength and dignity. His motto while living with Alzheimer's disease was, I refuse to become angry, and he lived up to that motto. Though saddened by the progression of the disease he never became angry or bitter about it. Dad married Sarah Neal in 1995 and she was a loving and caring partner even as the Alzheimer's disease took its toll.
Dad was preceded in death by his wife, Gwen, in 1988; his daughter, Debbi, in 1977; and his son, Michael, in 1957. He is survived by his wife Sarah; daughter, Terri (Jim) McCuiston; son, Paul (Suzanne), son, Fred (Bonnie); daughter, Cathy (Steve) Skiles, daughter, Celeste (Ben) Emmons; son, Tom, son, John (Lisa); 14 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
Dad will be remembered as a loving, compassionate and caring man. He always championed the underdog, whether he was watching a sporting event or providing free services to the owners of a small water system who were struggling to make ends meet. John's family would like to extend their thanks and loving gratitude to Ramel and CiCi at Sunrise Adult Family Home for their tender, considerate care of our Dad for the past two years. They provided a safe family environment that Dad truly enjoyed. Visitation will be on Tuesday, August 11, 2009 from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. A memorial service will be on Wednesday, August 12, 2009 at 11:00 a.m. Both will be at Woodlawn Funeral Home, 5930 Mullen Rd. SE, Lacey WA 98503. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Hospice Foundation at 3432 South Bay Rd NE, Olympia, WA 98506 or to the Nisqually Land Trust at P.O. Box 1148, Yelm, WA 98597-1148.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The Olympian on Aug. 9, 2009.

Memories and Condolences
for John Robischon

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Jeanne Keller

August 16, 2009

To Sarah and all my cousins,

So sorry to hear about John's passing. What a kind, sweet and gentle man, and what a legacy all of you, his wonderful family, are. I remember so fondly the big Robischon reunion for his birthday some years back. My heart goes out to you all.

Love,
Jeanne Keller

August 14, 2009

Sarah,
I am truly sorry for your loss. What an amazing man he was - he accomplished so much and was so giving. I'm sorry that I could not be thre for the memorial but please know that you and your family have been in my thoughts.
Lysa Homan Walker (Lacey, WA)

Sandy Brentlinger

August 12, 2009

To Paul and the Robischon Family,

From my first day with the Southwest Regional Office - Office of Drinking Water, I heard the name, John Robischon. He was known as a good, solid engineer that knew the water business.

In the early 1980's when I was the secretary, your dad would frequently come into our office. He was always so nice to me. I remember one day he made a special trip and offered me a job with South Sound Utility...I stayed with the state but I was very flattered he asked.

John will always be known as a very common sense engineer. Even today as staff survey water systems, those of us who knew your dad can easily identify a Robischon water system. The designs were well thought out and they always worked well.

In the 1980's and early 1990's when there was a lot of development in the area, our office received many engineering plans from SSU. Our engineers made very few comments and approvals occurred very quickly.

Your dad was known as a man of high integrity and kindness. Paul, I will never forget when you drove up my driveway shortly after my husband died in 1994. I had no clue you knew where I lived or followed my life. It was just so nice that you came to check out my pressure tank and well and made sure my water system was functioning OK. I don't know for sure, but I would not be surprised if your dad asked you to do it. Little things can mean a lot to the person on the receiving end.

I will hold the memories of your dad very close in my heart. I will think of him every time I open a SSU water system file!

Sandy Brentlinger

Jim Johnson

August 12, 2009

Good Bye Old Friend... I still treasure the Knife you gave me at my wedding.. and the penny too.. each time I use it, I think of you.. a gentle and loving soul that took time for everyone..thanks for taking time for me... your friend always ..until we meet again, keep a seat open for me at the great meeting in the sky, we still have much to talk about..

Jayda Williams

August 10, 2009

My thoughts and prayers are with your family (and Fred and Bonnie)

kristie T

August 10, 2009

It was always a pleasure to have breakfast with John and other friends Sunday morning at Nickelby's. Many will miss this kind man.

Rob Bell

August 10, 2009

In memory, I remember John Sr. and the Robischon family very fondly while a kid growing up in Tanglewilde. Many of the life lessons I've instilled in my own chlidren were based on memories of the days in our Tanglewilde neighborhood. My heart felt sympathy to all the Robischon family, and friends during this difficult time. Rob Bell and family (Blair, NE)

Rob Bell

August 10, 2009

In memory, I remember John Sr. and the Robischon family very fondly while a kid growing up in Tanglewilde. Many of the life lessons I've instilled in my own chlidren were based on memories of the days in our Tanglewilde neighborhood. My heart felt sympathy to all the Robischon family, and friends during this difficult time. Rob Bell and family (Blair, NE)

Susi Swift

August 10, 2009

I don't think there is a single Swift that did not love the whole Robischon family. I honestly cannot even imagine a childhood without them. We were the neighborhood, and yes, Mr. and Mrs. Robischon always let us hang out there. That was the warmest home a person could have the privilege to enter. It was always filled with laughter and smiles, and a lot of people!! It was so fun that all the kids played together, age never a factor. The bummer was when we moved up on top of the hill.....but not to worry, the very first thing my dad did was have the boys make a perfect trail for us to get to the Robischons as fast as possible. He told the boys "I want that trail as smooth as a baby's bottom!" I guess he would know about that!! Going down, was easy, we made it there in a spit second, coming home, not so easy, so hey, why not just stay at the Robischon's a little longer!! And when the winter and the snow came, well of course, we had the best snow hill that ended right in the Robischons yard, I think we may have slammed into the porch a time or two!!
John and Gwen should be so incredibly proud of the amazing family they raised, and all the amazing grandchildren, and even great-grandchildren, unfortunately, my dad never got to see any great-grandchildren, actually my mom either, soon though!! A very special thanks to Terri for being such a great 1st grade teacher to Natalie, (you're still her favorite teacher ever!!) Thanks to Celeste for helping us win all those Tanglewilde swim meets, "Go Horse", to Cathy for always sharing her birthday with Celeste and me, Paul and Fred for never picking on us like our brothers did, and even Tom and John, you guys never were too annoying!! And loved the music playing, Tom!!
My love and prayers are with you all

Patricia Swift St. Hilaire

August 9, 2009

I always loved John ("Mr. Robischon") and Gwen ("Mrs. Robischon") and all the rest of the Robischons, especially Debbi, who was closest to my age. What a fun thing it was for the Swifts to have the Robischons move into Tanglewilde - a family almost as large as ours and perfectly matched in ages! Ah, the fun we had. And John and Gwen were just about the coolest parents we knew. I still miss Gwen and Debbi and will miss John, too. Love to all you wonderful Robischons! Love,

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