Robert L. Fraley

Robert L. Fraley passed away peacefully at home with family by his side on August 31, 2011. He was born January 30, 1928 to Samantha E. Fraley and Leslie "Shad" Fraley in Wenatchee, Washington. The family lived in East Wenatchee and Bob attended schools on Badger Mountain and Wenatchee, graduating from Wenatchee High School in 1948. Bob was part of the group of students from Douglas County often referred to as the "bridge-walkers". Throughout World War II he worked on the family wheat farm when he wasn't in school. He met Patricia Annette Hamilton in 1948. Their first date was to a movie with another couple but Bob had to leave in the middle of the movie because he didn't feel good. The other couple said they would give Pat a ride home and she didn't know if she would ever see him again (Bob ended up in the hospital that night with a ruptured appendics). But he persisted and they were married in 1950. They moved to Pullman where he was attending Washington State University, graduating in 1951 with a degree in architecture. While at WSU, Bob won 1st prize in a competition for the design of a 10-family housing project. He was a Coug through and through. The family will fondly remember all those fall Saturdays listening to the Cougs on the radio (and then later watching them on TV). After graduation and moving back to Wenatchee, Bob received his order to report for induction into the armed forces for the Korean War. His status was changed to III-A and he remained in Wenatchee, starting his family. He began his career in an office on Kittitas Street: Newhall, Peach, Fraley & Leighton. In 1959 he designed and built the office on Washington Street known as Fraley & Leighton. This building also housed the studio of artist Walter Graham. In 1958, Bob got his private pilot license and bought his first plane, a Cessna, which was later followed by a Mooney which he used for pleasure and business. His legacy lives on in so many buildings in the Wenatchee Valley: Wenatchee Elks Temple, which was described as one of the finest temples in the entire Western United States (1958); North Central Regional Library (1959); Douglas Country PUD; Mission Ridge (he was one of the original shareholders of Mission Ridge Mountain Corp); Valley North Mall shopping center; Wenatchee High School and the Wenatchee Convention Center are just a few. Later in his career, he formed "Fruit Technologies" and became a pioneer in the design of tilt-up concrete structures, designing a number of local, regional and national warehouses and CA buildings. In the early years Bob & Pat were active in the Republican Party, Dance Club and varied Bridge Clubs. Bob was involved in Exchange Club, the Elks (BPOE...which he always told his kids stood for Best People on Earth); Applearians, a monthly poker group (that has been around for decades), and too many others to mention. He was the Wenatchee High School Distinguished Alumni in 1982. He served on the Governors Citizens Utility and Telecommunication Advisory Committee in 1983. Also in the 1980s Bob studied for and passed the test to receive his world-wide architectural license. After Desert Storm he received a call from a U.S. General wanting Bob to design a home for him in Saudi Arabia. Pat and Bob provided a home for foreign exchange students from Spain in 1979-80 and hosted a young architect from Chile to learn more about the construction and design of CA facilities. Bob loved to share what he'd learned. He loved to play golf and got the first hole-in-one at Three Lakes while playing with his father-in-law Allen Hamilton. He was a Member of the Wenatchee Golf & Country Club, where he got a hole-in-one on the 130-yard number 17 using an 8 iron (what made this special, is that it happened during the annual "hole in one" celebration at the Club). Bob and Pat moved to the new home they built near the Country Club in 2000 and Bob served as president of the homeowners association for 2 years. He truly loved his family and friends and you couldn't find a better friend. He would do anything for you. He was well known for his teasing and great sense of humor, which he kept until the very end. He loved to travel and was fortunate to have traveled the world with Pat, family & friends. Survivors include his 4 children: Christine Henry, E. Wenatchee; Eric (Debbie) Fraley, Selah; Carol Pettersen, E. Wenatchee) and Peter (Cindy) Fraley, Wenatchee; 7 grandchildren: Megan Henry, Spokane; Jeff Henry, Wenatchee; Rob (Brei) Fraley, Spokane; Haylee Pettersen, Seattle; Jessica Pettersen, E. Wenatchee; Samantha Fraley and Wyatt Fraley,Wenatchee; 1 great-granddaughter, Keiana Henry, Spokane and a sister, Lois Parks, E. Wenatchee. He was preceded in death earlier this year by his wife of 60 years, Pat, and his parents. In lieu of flowers donations may be made in his name to the Wenatchee Valley Humane Society. A Graveside Memorial Service will be held at Evergreen Memorial Cemetery on Friday, September 16, 2011 at 1 p.m. We invite those who wish to share stories of Dad at the service. The service will conclude at the cemetery. There will be a private family gathering afterwards to commemorate Dad's life and mourn the loss of both our parents in the last 4 months. The family would like to thank everyone for their friendship, understanding, compassion, love, all the hugs and great stories. Bob & Pat were truly remarkable people and will be dearly missed.

Robert L. Fraley

January 30, 1928 - August 31, 2011