Robert William Gylling, 84, passed away August 5, 2011, at Park Manor Rehabilitation Center, Walla Walla. He was born to Charles (Carl) William Gylling and Freda Aschenbrenner Gylling Sluyter on July 6, 1927 in San Francisco, CA. When he was a youngster Freda and the 3 children, Robert, Joyce and Howard, went by train and settled in Colfax. Robert attended the Hamilton Grade School and graduated in 1946 at Colfax High School. He was a member of Colfax' First State Basketball Champions in 1946. In his teens he worked at the S & S Grocery and continued until he joined the Whitman County Survey Department and later the Washington State DOT. In 1950 Robert and Alice Manchester were married and had 3 children – Paul, Nancy and Freda. They were later divorced. He was inducted into the Army in 1952 and served with distinction in Korea during that conflict receiving the Korean Service Medal with 2 Bronze Service Stars, the National Defense Service Medal, the United Nations Service Medal and Meritorious Unit Commendation. He was released from active military service and transferred to Army Reserved to complete 8 years of service. In 1964 Robert and Judy Streib were married and settled in Sunset Beach and later Garden Grove, CA. He worked as a lineman for the Long Beach, CA, telephone department. They moved to Colfax in 1965 and he worked with a Pullman construction crew on buildings as WSC. They had 3 children – Craig, Christine and Scott. In 1966 Robert started his civilian career as a Civil Engineering Technician with the Walla Walla Corps of Engineers. His career has been devoted to service in the Engineering Division where he was assigned to Design Branch and Geotechnical Branch. He retired in Materials and Dam Safety Section April 1990. Robert enjoyed the outdoors trapping, hunting, fishing and gardening. He was known for his baking, especially pies. Two Alaskan cruises and a Mexico cruise were special adventures. Robert belonged to the Masonic Blue Lodge #13, Scottish Rite, El Katif Shrine and Blue Mountain Shrine, B.P.O.E. Elks #287, and WW Farmer's Co-op. Robert was preceded in death by his parents, his sister Joyce and his brother Howard (by 2 days). Survivors include his wife, Judy, 3 sons – Paul (Debbie) of Colfax, Craig (Diana) of Grapeview, WA, and Scott (Lori) of Yakima; 3 daughters – Nancy (Rick) Bozarth of Juneau, AK, Freda (Dean) Miller of Colfax, Christine (John) Paris of Bellevue, also 6 granddaughters and 6 grandsons. A memorial service will be held at the Bruning Funeral Home in Colfax at 1:00 on Saturday, August 20th. Graveside service will follow with the Masonic Lodge Rites and Military Honors by the National Guard. On-line guest book is at www.bruningfuneralhome.com The family suggests memorials be made to the Shrine Hospital, 911 W. 5th Ave, Spokane, WA 99210
Bruning Funeral Home, Colfax, is caring for the family.