Robert Maxfield Church, Jr.

Robert M. Church, Jr., a longtime Wenatchee resident passed away on June 15, 2011 at the age of 86 years old. Bob was born June 10, 1925, at Boise, Idaho. The son of R. M. and Lavine Church. The family moved to Wenatchee Valley in 1929. Bob attended Wenatchee schools and was a member of the last mid-year class. He was a member of the Boy Scouts Troop 10 from 1940-1943 and became a Life Scout. The family moved to Ephrata and he graduated from Ephrata High School in June 1943. Upon graduation he volunteered for the Navy and served 3 years of active duty in the South Pacific and West Coast, then 5 years in the Navy Reserve. In 1946 he entered the College of Puget Sound. He was a member of Delta Kappa Phi Fraternity and lettered in varsity skiing. While in college he was manager of the Wenatchee Municipal swimming pool one summer and he worked at Paradise on Mount Rainier as a Ski Patrolman in winter. Bob graduated in 1950 with a degree in Economics and Business Administration. In December 1949 he married Ethel Rae Shattuck and they moved to Wenatchee after graduation. He went into business with his father, R. M. Church, Sr. They built a home in East Wenatchee. They had 3 children; Charlie, Max and LeeAnn. Ethel Rae passed away in May 1964 from cancer. In 1970, Bob married Lorraine Hart. They built their home on Burch Mountain in 1970. Bob purchased the business from his father in 1971, but after having heart surgery in 1978 he sold the office equipment business in 1982. Bob worked several years as Marketing Director for Mission Ridge. He served on Governor Spellman's tourism commission, representing winter sports in Washington State. Later he worked for Adventure Northwest Magazine promoting tourism in North Central Washington. Bob's primary interest was skiing. He was a life member of National Ski Patrol. He was a training leader at Stevens Pass, helping train the Mission Ridge Ski Patrol. He was Central Washington Section Chief in charge of organizing and training ski patrols in each of the ski areas under U. S. Forest Service control. Bob became a fully certified ski instructor in 1951 and taught skiing at Stevens Pass and Mission Ridge. Bob was assistant ski school director of Wenatchee Ski Schools, co-director of KPQ Ski School and was one of the instigators of Mission Ridge, serving on the first board of directors. He received recognition in 1994 with the Mission Ridge Ski School for dedication and superior service. In December 1996, Bob, Otto Ross and Frank Cumbo were inducted into The Mission Ridge Hall of Fame with a picture of them hanging in the Administration Building. He received the PNSIA Legends Award in 1997 and in 2001, the Professional Skiers Association for 50 years of teaching skiing. Bob was active in the community, belonging to the Wenatchee Junior Chamber of commerce, The Apollo Club, Wenatchee Elks, Wenatchee Chamber of Commerce, Red Cross First Aid Instructor, Board member and officer of Wenatchee Credit Bureau, Wenatchee School Board, National Office Products Association, Wenatchee Downtown Business Association, Wenatchee Sunrise Rotary where he received the Paul Harris Fellow Award, a lifetime member of Veterans of Foreign Wars, and an active member of Wenatchee First United Methodist Church. Bob was also a licensed Realtor and a Life Underwriter for Prudential Insurance Company, member of Heritage Foundation and National Rifle Association. Bob enjoyed sailing some 30 years. After he and Lorraine retired, they sailed their 30 foot Islander sailboat from Anacortes exploring the inlets and coves of the San Juan Islands, Gulf Islands, Northern Vancouver Island and Desolation Sound. In 1995 they sold their boat, purchased a 22 foot trailer and explored the inland mountains of the Pacific Northwest, British Columbia, the Yukon and Alaska with their golden lab, Cassidy. Bob loved the mountains, especially when covered in snow, the hiking and fishing of high mountain lakes and the challenge of sailing. Bob is survived by his wife Lorraine of 41 years, daughter LeeAnn Patin (Michael), sons Charlie and Max (Jeannine); nine grandchildren; Nicole, James (Ann) Church, Ruth Anna (Stan) Price, Sarah, Evan, Logan Church, Thomas, Curtis and Ross Phillips and two great grandchildren. A Memorial Service will be held on Friday, June 24th at 1:00 p.m. at the Wenatchee First United Methodist Church, 941 Washington Street, with Rev. Julia Price officiating. A Concluding service and Inurnment will follow in Evergreen Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in his name are suggested to the Sunrise Rotary Scholarship Fund or the Wenatchee Valley Humane Society. Please sign in or leave a memory for the family online by visiting www.HeritageMemorialChapel.com .

Robert Maxfield Church, Jr.

June 10, 1925 - June 15, 2011