Robert Jensen Hein

YAKIMA - Robert J. Hein passed away August 5, 2012 at the Good Samaritan Dementia Ward in Yakima. He was born June 12, 1930 in Yakima to Mary and Hother Hein. He was raised in the Cowiche/Tieton area, and attended Highland School District through high school. Following high school Robert attended WSU and graduated in 1952 with a degree in Animal Husbandry. While at WSU he met the love of his life and his lifelong companion Colleen Horan. They married in September of 1952 and remained married for 56 years till Colleen passed in 2009.

Robert (Bob) served in the Army towards the end of the Korean Conflict. He was a lieutenant in a heavy mortar platoon. After his service in the Army, Bob returned to the Cowiche area and farmed on the family farm until his retirement in 1999. In his early farming years the farm included a feedlot, as well as the orchard and apple packing warehouse. He and his family packed their own apples till the mid 90’s. He was a progressive farmer, being one of the first farmers in the area to invest in a trellis block. Bob had many interests; including fishing, photography, bird watching, insect collections, reading, cooking, and spending time with his family. Family trips to Lake Chelan and Ocean Shores are among the many memories Bob’s family retain to this day. In his later years, Bob enjoyed traveling with his wife Colleen. Many of these trips were with Colleen’s sister and brother in law, Meg and Tom Names. Arizona, Hawaii, and even his father’s home country of Denmark were on his list of areas visited. While traveling, Bob and Colleen were known for seeing everything along the way; sometimes only traveling 75 miles a day as they visited various points of interest.

Bob was preceded in death by his parents Mary and Hother Hein, his wife Colleen Hein, and his uncle Johny Secondo who was like an older brother to Bob in his younger years.

Survivors include his daughter Helen Gundersen (Michael Farrell) of Westport; his son John (Jack) Hein (Judy Knutson) of Tieton; sister Janet Anderson and Janet’s daughter Mary of Seattle, seven grandchildren; Kelsey Gundersen, Christopher Gundersen, John Hein Jr, Jayme LaHue, Rachel Bernier (Travis Bernier), Jessica Chartrand, and Jake Chartrand; Julie Milburn (Michael Milburn) of Cowiche, mother of John Hein Jr. Robert also had two great grandchildren.

The family would like to thank the staff of Good Samaritan Dementia Ward. Robert suffered from Alzheimer’s the final years of his life. The staff at Good Samaritan made Robert a home and were part of his family the final 4 years of his life. To all of you, thank you; you are also among his survivors, job well done. Dianna, Maureen, Herb, Jayme, Sam, and all the rest of the staff... the family will never forget you.

In lieu of flowers, donations are suggested to the Alzheimer’s Foundation or the WSU Alumni Association. A graveside inurnment with full military honors will be held at West Hills Memorial Park on Saturday, August 18, 2012 at 10:30 a.m. A Memorial service will follow at the Keith & Keith Terrace Heights Chapel on Saturday, August 18, 2012 at 12:00 p.m. To celebrate the life of Robert Hein and share a memory visit www.keithandkeith.com