Robert Duane Lawson

Early Christmas Eve morning, December 24, 2012, Robert D. "Bob" Lawson, a longtime Wenatchee resident, went to be with his Lord, following a short illness. He was at home, surrounded in the love of his family. Born on August 23, 1927, in Wenatchee, Washington to the late Arthur L. and Carmen (Charlton) Lawson, his father was a school principal and the family made a number of job related moves. From Wenatchee they moved to Peshastin and then to Ronald, Washington, where Bob started school, and was a bugler in the Drum and Bugle Corps in Cle Elum. In 1939, the family settled permanently in Yakima. While at Yakima High School, he became Captain of the Track Team and held the Washington State High School record for running the 880. Upon graduation, he entered the U.S. Army Air Corps, serving as Company Clerk for the Occupation Forces in Japan, and was with a group that visited the city of Hiroshima one year after the atomic bomb was dropped. After his honorable discharge from the Army, Bob continued his education at Washington State University in Pullman, Washington, where he again ran on the Track Team, and was a member of the Beta Theta Phi Fraternity. During his summers, he learned to build with his father, and built two houses in Yakima, which he sold to earn money for college. Graduating with a Bachelor's degree in Business in 1950, he accepted a job with the Old National Bank (ONB) at their Colfax branch, then was soon transferred to their Granger branch, where he met Betty Mortensen; they were married on October 4, 1952 in Outlook, Washington. In the fall of 1953, Bob was transferred to the ONB branch in Spokane, Washington, where they lived until the fall of 1955, when he was transferred to the branch in Prosser, Washington. Bob eventually left banking and worked as a sales rep for Cuckler Steel Buildings. Widowed in 1966 by the death of his wife, Betty, Bob accepted a job with the Wenatchee offices of the Washington State Department of Transportation in 1967, in order to spend more time at home with his daughters, Deborah, Judie and Rebecca. On December 16, 1967, Bob was married to family friend, Susan Jane Weidman, in Yakima, Washington. They made their home together in Wenatchee, where daughter Nancy joined the family. Bob continued to work for the D.O.T. in Wenatchee in real estate services which involved land acquisition, appraising and management. He later became an Administrator and was District Real Estate Service manager at the time of his retirement in 1993. A longtime member and Elder of the Okanogan Avenue, and later, King's Orchard Church of Christ, Bob was actively involved with the financing and construction of the King's Orchard church building. He was on the Board of the North Central Washington Museum, where he served as President, until recent illness forced his resignation; served for over twenty years on the Board of North Central Credit Union (now known as NUMERICA); and was vice-president of the local Retired Public Employees Council at the time of his death. He was also a longtime volunteer for Music Theatre of Wenatchee, where he was once honored as "Volunteer of the Year." First and foremost, Bob loved God. Even to the end, he held conversations marveling at the grace of God, and His great love. He had a shepherd's heart who viewed his leadership in the church as both a great responsibility and an honor. His compassion for others, especially the underdog, was enormous, and he enjoyed visiting with people and taking action if there was a need. And Bob was a devoted family man; his role as grandfather was especially gratifying, and he faithfully wrote to each of his grandkids weekly. Bob had a wide range of interests but particularly enjoyed family genealogy, WWII history, and local history. He enjoyed the outdoors, traveling, and loved family gatherings. Bob is survived by his wife, Susan J. Lawson, Wenatchee; four daughters, Deborah (John) Gray, Bothell, Judith Lawson, Malibu, CA, Rebecca (Rex) Morey, Shelton and Nancy (Zeke) Johnstone, East Wenatchee; two brothers, Dale (Barbara) Lawson, Belfair and David (Shirley) Lawson, Oregon City, OR; sister Barbara (Dennis )Covell, Yakima; eight grandchildren and many nephews and nieces. He was preceded in death by his parents, his first wife, Betty (Mortensen) Lawson and his older brother Allen C. Lawson. A Memorial Service is being held at King's Orchard Church of Christ on Saturday, March 16, 2013 at 11:00am. You are invited to visit his online tribute and leave a message at www.HeritageMemorialChapel.com. In honor of Robert D. Lawson's life, the family has suggested memorial contributions be made in his name to either Wenatchee Valley Museum and Cultural Center; Solomon's Porch; or the Landreth/Johnson Scholarship Fund at King's Orchard Church of Christ.

Robert Duane Lawson

August 23, 1927 - December 24, 2012