Robert (Bob) Eddy was born in Marengo, Iowa, in 1926. Bob spent his early years living in Mount Vernon, Iowa, with his mother, Hannah Loretta, and sister, Dorothy. In 1943 the family moved to Richmond, Calif. While attending high school there, Bob earned varsity letters in football, basketball, and baseball. At age 18, Bob left school to join the United States Merchant Marine during World War II. Upon completion of his tour of duty with the U.S. Maritime Service, Bob enlisted with the United States Marine Corps and, after receiving his Honorable Discharge, served an additional two years in the Marine Corps Reserves. Bob continued his service to country for an additional 32 years as a civilian, working at the El Toro Marine Corps Air Station in Southern California. As a proud member of the Civil Service at El Toro, Bob’s hard work and leadership abilities led to a series of promotions during his career, finally serving as the General Supervisor for the entire El Toro USMCAS facility before he retired.  

Life in Santa Ana, Calif., for Bob and Kathryn (“Punkie”), and their children, John, Loren and Ginger was wonderful and busy, with devoted service to Camile Christian Church. But summer vacation every year was dedicated to spending time at beautiful Lake Coeur d‘Alene. In 1971, Bob and Punkie were able to purchase their own slice of paradise on Carlin Bay, and spent the next several years developing their lake front property and, in 1982, the lure of Lake Coeur d’Alene tempted Bob and Punkie into full-time retirement at the lake. After years of summer vacations there, they knew that this was the place to call home for the next chapter in their life together.

During their time on Carlin Bay, Bob and Punkie were able to build their dream log cabin, a beautiful home with plenty of room for family and friends to come and visit. Bob also joined and proudly served as a volunteer firefighter for the East Side Fire District. After 22 years of living in paradise, Bob and Punkie realized that the lake property was becoming too difficult to maintain, so they returned to “city life” in Coeur d’Alene. This allowed Bob the opportunity to join the Pappy Boyington Detachment #966 of the Marine Corps League, and Bob proudly participated in numerous service functions with his fellow Marine Corps veterans. In 2011, as his stages of Alzheimer’s progressed, Bob and Punkie moved to Kennewick, Wash., to be closer to family.

Bob is survived by his wife of 55 years, Punkie, and children Loren and Ginger. He was equally proud of his son-in-law Phillip and daughters-in-law Karen and Jane. He was forever smiling and always ready to join in a song, dance, cards, or any game of sport with his grandchildren, Gabe, Kevin, Amy, Laura Kate, Grant, Eric, Tucker and Myles. He was additionally blessed with great-grandchildren, Noah, Glory, Kate and Ellie.  

Bob now joins their son John, his beloved sister Dorothy and mother Loretta, and many other dear family members and friends. He will be missed, but his smile lives on with each of us.

Services for Bob Eddy will be held at 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, May 3, at the Hillcrest Memorial Center, 9353 West Clearwater Ave., Kennewick, Washington. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests a memorial gift either to the Alzheimer's Association -- Inland Northwest Chapter, 910 W. 5th Ave., Ste. 256 Spokane, WA 99204 or to Heartlinks Hospice (formerly “Lower Valley Hospice”) 3920 Outlook Road Sunnyside, WA 98944

Further information regarding services is available at www.HillcrestMemorialCenter.com.