Bob's Autobiography

I found a book from Bob Strick's Class of 1957 West Valley High School 50th reunion in 2007, and this is the bio he submitted for himself.  -Heather

BOB STRICK

After a couple of years at WSC, I married at 21 and have three children by that marriage: Trish, Jennifer and Sean, who produced six grandchildren. They live in Norway, Alaska, and the Pacific Northwest. My employment was in finance and banking, living and working in Spokane until 1969.

I arrived in Bellevue, WA in the spring of 1969 and continued working in bank branch management until 1974. I married again and had two children by that marriage: Heather and Dana. My career at that time was independent real estate brokerage until 1982. My daughter, Heather presented the first male grandson, Jude, two years ago. I left real estate and the Seattle area in 1982.

After Seattle, I moved to Methow Valley and Okanogan Highlands in Washington. My career changed 180 degrees to manufacturing and marketing log home kits under the name of Alaska Log Homes. The partnership ended about 1991 and I moved to Orient, WA, my present location.

The highlights of this half century have been my families, and I am happy to say they are healthy, successful, good citizens. My careers have been interesting and challenging. I have enjoyed living in different locations. My careers included some opportunities to enjoy foreign trade experiences in Japan. There was a time I owned and piloted a single engine airplane. I look forward to traveling and retirement.

Back into the wild

Nice picture of Bob enjoying the sun at his home near Kettle Falls.

My family and I made our first trip to Bob's place near Kettle Falls this week. Retrieved a box of old family photos that I had hoped to find, and while we were there, we liberated his ashes over the property, returning him to his home. I think he was very happy there, and felt that is where he would want to remain forever.

A few photos of the property today:

Stairway to Heaven

Family Legacy of Bob Strick

Memorial Service for Bob Strick

The time and place for Bob Strick's Memorial has been set for Saturday, June 2, 2012 at 1:45 p.m. at Bellevue Foursquare Church in Bellevue, WA.

For anyone traveling to be at the service, thank you for your effort. I'm compiling some hotel options, but have blocked rooms at an economy motel very nearby, click here for the information for the rooms we've reserved.

Feel free to contact me if you have questions about when, where or how!

Best,
Heather

On becoming a grandpa

This is the message I received when Bob learned that I was pregnant with Noah.
–Heather




September 13, 2009

To: Heather
From: Bob

CONGRATULATIONS........... AM GOING TO BE A GRANDPA AGAIN......yayyyyyyy.  I am very glad to hear the news.

When we were there I felt like you had something on your mind and it is a relief to hear it is good news.  I was starting to conjure up all kinds of possible scenario's about what you were thinking about and most of them bad.  I did tell Vicki though that I thought you might be pregnant and possibly that was a worry because of your business.

Congratulations to you and Peter again.  I have some pics to put on facebook of Jude and Anita when I figure out how to locate them on the computer. 

Big hugs and kissses to Jude!

Love ya,

Dad

GUEST BOOK

Please add your own remembrance in the comments section below this post. The family appreciates hearing your stories!


re-posted from online guestbook:

January 30, 2012

Bob died as he lived life..on his own terms. He has gone to join his family in heaven. My deepest sympathy to Vicki and the children. 

January 30, 2012

 

We are very sorry to hear of Bob's death. He was a great guy. Loved seeing his picture in the paper a year or so ago regarding a ticket he got at the Court House for parking in the wrong lot. I couldn't help by know that Bob's response to the incident was pure Bob! He will be missed by all his friends and family. May Bob walk in the footprints of God.

On Kelly Hill and Kettle Falls

This is the last email I received from my dad, regarding the death of his aunt, Dorothy.
–Heather


December 21, 2011
To: Heather
From: Bob

Dorothy was mom's sister, and lived on a ranch on Kelly Hill up near my place.  I am not sure you have met her, but she was known as Dot (and Art Barrett). Both Dorothy and Art and Esther and Wormy Gallaher bought adjoining ranches on Kelly Hill about 1947.  I use to go hunting on their place when younger, and liked the country so much that is part of reason I bought the place I did where the mill is now.

xox
Dad

Photos from Marie Strick's Memorial

Bob with his daughter, Jennifer, and her daughters, Madeleine, Emma and Mia.

  Bob's granddaughters, Madeleine, Emma and Mia.

  Bob with his son, Sean.

  Bob with his cousins on the Willms side of the family.

Jennifer, Mia, Madeleine and Emma, sporting their Washington college gear.

Photos submitted by Jennifer Falck

In Loving Memory of Bob Strick

JAMES ROBERT STRICK, best known as BOB STRICK, resident of Kettle Falls, WA, died peacefully January 19, 2012 in Spokane, WA of complications from previously undiagnosed Pancreatic Cancer and Cirrhosis. He was 72 years old. Strick was born June 1, 1939 in Missoula, MT to Marie and James Strick, he was raised in Spokane, WA.

A friendly socializer and pursuer of pleasure, Bob Strick’s life path was winding.  He began his career in finance, and in 1965 was appointed Manager at Federal Finance Co. in Spokane.  Around 1970 he moved to Bellevue, WA and became a Loan Officer at Bank of the West and then Branch Manager at Bank of the West’s Kent branch.  

In 1973, Strick gave up banking for real estate, and later became a Real Estate Broker and started his own business, J. Robert Strick Real Estate, in Bellevue.  In the early 1980s, he moved to eastern Washington, and started a company, Alaska Log Homes & Lodges, that consisted of a logging mill that manufactured kits to build contemporary log homes, and installed homes nationally and in Japan. Later, Strick started Kettle River Pine, Inc. which did business in lumber cutting & planing at his mill in Kettle Falls.

 Wauconda property, 2007. Photo by Dana Hunting

 Bob was married twice, first to Margaret Nelson, 1959-1966, with whom he had three children: Patricia, Jennifer and Sean. He was then married to Miriam Vicary, 1971-1980, with whom he had two more children, Heather and Dana.


Amidst his career and family pursuits, Bob also served in the National Guard, acquired his pilot’s license, occasionally raised farm animals, purchased acres of rolling hills in Wauconda, WA and later, retired to his dream property in Kettle Falls, WA, which included an active railroad track. 

Kettle Falls property, 2007. Photo by Dana Hunting

  

Bob Strick was preceded in death by his parents Marie and James Strick of Spokane Valley WA; and brother, Stanley Strick of Everett, WA. He is survived by his sisters Shirley Thierry of AZ and Barbara Korling of Spokane WA; His good friend and significant other, Vicki Tomsha of Deer Park WA; His five children: Patricia Strick Swing Uri of Anchorage, AK; Jennfer Strick Swing Falck of Bergen, Norway; Sean Strick Swing of Pasco WA; Heather Strick van Breda of Belleuve WA; and Dana Strick Hunting of Seattle WA; Nine grandchildren: MeiLing Uri, Mia Bjørnestad, Madeleine Bjørnestad, Emma, Shawna, Brandi, Jude, Noah and Anita; and one great grandson, Whitney.

At Heather and Peter's wedding, 1999. Photo by Carrol Harrold.

L-R: Dana, Trish, Bob, Heather, Peter, MeiLing.

A MEMORIAL SERVICE FOR BOB STRICK is being planned for Saturday, June 2, 2012 at Bellevue Foursquare Church in Bellevue, WA. The family is working to turn the Facebook page for Bob Strick into a memorial site where you may post memories and condolences, and watch for news about the memorial service.