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IN LOVING MEMORY OF
Robert "Bob"
Smawley
May 8, 1928 – January 1, 2017
Obituary
Obituary for Robert Bruce Smawley
Robert Bruce Smawley, 88, a longtime Pullman resident, died January 1, 2017 at the Guardian Angel Home in Liberty Lake, Washington.
Bob Smawley, "Mr. WSU" to many, was born on May 8, 1928, in a farm house on the outskirts of Pullman to Lewis and Linnie (Critchfield) Smawley. He graduated from Pullman High School in 1946, and served two years in the Navy in Hawaii. Bob then returned to Pullman, married Carol Frost in 1950, and earned his degree from WSU in 1952.
Employed at WSU for over 50 years, he officially retired in 2007. His positions included Athletic Ticket Manager, Cougar Club Coordinator, University Purchasing Agent, Director of General Services, Director of the Performing Arts Coliseum, Director of University Relations and assistant to the Vice President for University Advancement. However, his favorite job was working at the newly renovated barn, the Lewis Alumni Centre, as WSU's unofficial good will ambassador and history-of-WSU slideshow presenter. Bob's 2011 Hoot Gibson Distinguished Volunteer Award was a fitting tribute to his life of service to WSU, its students and alums. The Bob Smawley Courtyard at the Alumni Centre will continue to be a memorial to two of his loves ~ the Cougars and gardening. Active in the Pullman community as well, Bob served as president of the Pullman Chamber of Commerce, the Lions Club, the Memorial Hospital Board of Directors and as secretary for the Pullman Council on Aging.
Bob is survived by his three daughters, Debbie Olsen (Richard) of Las Vegas, NV, Laurie Sahlberg (Bill) of Liberty Lake, WA, and Susie Waananen (Kurt) of Maple Grove, MN, as well as ten grandchildren and nineteen great-grandchildren. His wife Carol preceded him in death in 2013. Bob and Carol's request was for memorial gifts to be given to the Robert and Carol Smawley Alumni Leadership Award in care of the WSU Foundation. Kimball Funeral Home of Pullman, WA has been entrusted with arrangements. A reception celebrating his life will be held at the Alumni Centre on May 12, 2017.
Robert Bruce Smawley, 88, a longtime Pullman resident, died January 1, 2017 at the Guardian Angel Home in Liberty Lake, Washington.
Bob Smawley, "Mr. WSU" to many, was born on May 8, 1928, in a farm house on the outskirts of Pullman to Lewis and Linnie (Critchfield) Smawley. He graduated from Pullman High School in 1946, and served two years in the Navy in Hawaii. Bob then returned to Pullman, married Carol Frost in 1950, and earned his degree from WSU in 1952.
Employed at WSU for over 50 years, he officially retired in 2007. His positions included Athletic Ticket Manager, Cougar Club Coordinator, University Purchasing Agent, Director of General Services, Director of the Performing Arts Coliseum, Director of University Relations and assistant to the Vice President for University Advancement. However, his favorite job was working at the newly renovated barn, the Lewis Alumni Centre, as WSU's unofficial good will ambassador and history-of-WSU slideshow presenter. Bob's 2011 Hoot Gibson Distinguished Volunteer Award was a fitting tribute to his life of service to WSU, its students and alums. The Bob Smawley Courtyard at the Alumni Centre will continue to be a memorial to two of his loves ~ the Cougars and gardening. Active in the Pullman community as well, Bob served as president of the Pullman Chamber of Commerce, the Lions Club, the Memorial Hospital Board of Directors and as secretary for the Pullman Council on Aging.
Bob is survived by his three daughters, Debbie Olsen (Richard) of Las Vegas, NV, Laurie Sahlberg (Bill) of Liberty Lake, WA, and Susie Waananen (Kurt) of Maple Grove, MN, as well as ten grandchildren and nineteen great-grandchildren. His wife Carol preceded him in death in 2013. Bob and Carol's request was for memorial gifts to be given to the Robert and Carol Smawley Alumni Leadership Award in care of the WSU Foundation. Kimball Funeral Home of Pullman, WA has been entrusted with arrangements. A reception celebrating his life will be held at the Alumni Centre on May 12, 2017.
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