Robert C. Hemphill Robert Clark Hemphill passed away June 1, 2017 in Olympia, WA. He was born April 6, 1925 to Albert Theodore and Fern Isabel Hemphill in Denver, CO. Over the years, Robert lived in Seattle, WA (1950-52), Oakland, CA (1953-54), Upper Lake, CA (1954-55), Olympia (1955- 85), Bremerton, WA (1985-2000), Olympia (2000-2007), and Rochester, WA (2007-2017). Robert graduated from William Winlock Miller High School (1948) in Olympia, attended St. Martin College (1948-1949) in Lacey, and received a teaching degree from the University of Washington (1952). He served in the U.S. Navy Submarine Service (1942-1946), and married Maxine Gay Whitney on June 18, 1948 in Olympia. Professionally, Robert was a teacher at Roosevelt Elementary and Washington Middle School, and was owner/operator of Skateland on South Bay Road (1960-1980) and Bremerton Skateland (1985-2000). Among his hobbies were being a hockey and speed skating coach, gardening, and reading. Robert is survived by his wife, Maxine Gay Hemphill; son, David Hemphill of Kent, WA; daughters, Susan Gay Lakey and Stephanie Ann Holmstrom, both of Olympia; nine grandchildren; and nine great grandchildren. He is predeceased by his parents; and brothers, Theodore Albert Hemphill, Jack Edward Hemphill, and Donald Dean Hemphill. A celebration of life will be held Tuesday, June 13, 2017, 1:00 p.m. at South Sound Manor, 455 North St. SE, Tumwater, WA 98501. Please share memories at www.FuneralAlternatives.org.

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Published by The Olympian on Jun. 7, 2017.

Memories and Condolences
for Robert Hemphill

16 Entries

Mary Lucas

August 3, 2019

All skate. Everybody skate. All skate.

Leeann Kerr

October 24, 2018

Bob was like the father I never had. So sad to hear he has passed. Condolences to his family. I spent many years at Bremerton skateland. i couldn't afford speed skates and I remember he bought me a pair of pink 595's with fafner bearings. I worked pulling weeds, behind the skate counter and even the snack bar to pay off those amazing skates. I spent quite a few nights there with his granddaughter Dina . Years later I'm sitting here with my friend named Cindi van ornum and we both realized we grew up with him in our lives at one time or another. Such an honor. Rest in peace my friend.

David Davis

October 4, 2017

Bob in my mind is an institution,that has effected probably thousands of young people's lives. He was a great teacher and a great coach and had a huge impact on my life. To Gay, David ,Susan and Steph My deepest condolences, he will be missed, but never forgotten!
Dave Davis 10/03/2017 Charleston SC

Nick Nichols

June 11, 2017

To the Hemphill Family,

On behalf of the Charleston Base SUBVETS and Swamp Fox Chapter SUBVETS WWII, I offer you our sincere condolences on Robert's passing. We grieve with you on the loss of your loved one and our shipmate. The SUBVETS will have your family in our thoughts and prayers. There is no expiration date on the back of our dolphins and Robert, who earned his 'fish' when he qualified on submarines during World War II, will always be remembered as a Brother of the Phin, a member of our Greatest Generation, and a great Patriot.

QMSN(SS) Robert C. Hemphill
US Navy WWII Submarine Veteran
Now on Eternal Patrol
Sailor Rest Your Oar
Your Shipmates Have The Watch

Fair Winds and Following Seas Shipmate

Charleston Base Submarine Veterans
Nick Nichols, MTCM(SS) USN Ret.
Base Chaplain

Debi Janet

June 11, 2017

Our deepest condolences and love go out to Auntie Gay, Susan, Stephanie and David and their families.
Bob was our favorite Uncle and we will miss him. All of our happy memories will be forever in our Hearts

Janet and Debi (Hemphill)

Toni (Bucsko) Stroup

June 8, 2017

I have fond memories of Bob from Skateland, he always found time to dance with me and always made me feel special. Junior high would not have been the same. Sitting by the fire place, Shoot the duck, lucky numbers and dancing to knock three times on the ceiling. Thank you Bob for always treating me so well. Rest in peace.

June 8, 2017

I have such fond memories of this family and all the fun times I had at Skateland.

Lori Mcbride

June 8, 2017

My heart goes out to Family ~ Sending heart felt love and appreciation , he will be missed and always in our prayers

June 7, 2017

Robert was my 6th grade school teacher. The best teacher I ever had.

I also worked for him and Gaye from 1966 to 1980 at their roller rink. He loved kids and they loved him. He will be missed. Lois Smith

Gary Lorentzen

June 7, 2017

Bob Hemphill was my second father in life. I met him in the fall of 1961 and he invited me to take skating lessons. I skated my entire life until I finally hung up my skates in 2012 after two knee surgeries. He was my friend and mentor as a teenager. He bought me my first pair of skates, because I couldn't afford to buy my own. I paid him back by working behind the skate counter. I spent the night with him, his wife Gay, his children, Susan, Steph and David in the rink during the Columbus Day storm of 1962. I saw the worry and sadness on his face when the roof of the rink was partially ripped away and the skating floor was ruined from the water/rain that poured in. I was with him at his daughter Susan's wedding in the early 1970s. I loved this man dearly. He will always be in my heart and memories as one of the kindest most influential adults in my childhood and teen years. RIP, Bob.

Tracey Guth-Cole

June 7, 2017

Had a lot of good skate times at skateland Olympia, Washington. Over all my youth. May you rest in peace Bob

Jill McReynolds Sartain

June 7, 2017

Yes, being picked to skate with "Bob" was always a thrill. Many happy memories of him and his great smile!! My thoughts go out to the Hemphill family.

Ron Brooks

June 7, 2017

I too was a student of Bob in 1959 and agree with Taya, Bob was the best and will be missed.

Bob got me and my children into skating in Bremerton and I even helped him when he did all night skates wish were several times a year.

It was a very enjoyable time knowing all these years. My you rest in peace.

June 7, 2017

I'm thankful to have known Bob, not just as a coach but how he influenced me as a young man. To this day, I always think of him when I hear a great skating song.

I remember in 1977, I brought the 45 record "Can't Smile Without You" to the rink for Bob to play. He loved the song!

He said "How much are 45's now days?" I said close to a dollar. He pulled out a dollar and said " Go buy yourself another copy!". I just smiled. I still am.

Thank you to the Hemphill family for sharing your dad with us. I send my deepest condolences.

Taya Higgins

June 7, 2017

Mr Hemphill was my 6th grade teacher at Roosevelt in 1959! He was one of the best teachers I've ever had - and I loved to skate with him at Skateland!

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