Robert Merle Clemence

On August 26, 2023, Bob was called home to his Heavenly Father. Born August 1, 1954, Bob grew up as the middle child in a family of boys. In his early years, Bob would spend summers at his father’s salmon cannery in Alaska, and the rest of the year at their home in Woodinville. With his brothers John, Frank, and Ken, they filled their days with football, basketball, volleyball, epic games of Risk and Monopoly, and of course - homemade rockets. His upbringing with his brothers could only begin to prepare him for the adventures he would have with a family of his own.

He was active in his Woodinville United Methodist youth group the Myffies. It was during his time with this group that he met a cute girl named Sandy, and shortly afterwards, their courtship began. After dating for a few years, these high school sweethearts decided to make it official and got married in 1976.

Bob graduated from Bothell High School in 1972. He attended Shoreline Community College and the University of Washington (while juggling 3 different jobs) and received a Bachelor of Arts in Mathematics in 1977. From there, Bob joined the professional work force as a Computer Programmer at First American Title Insurance. Later, because of Bob’s great people skills, he became a successful Systems Analyst at People’s Bank, ATL, and finally Phillips, where he retired in 2021 after 44 years in a window-less cubicle. Bob worked to live, but retiring brought him so much joy. He enjoyed repeatedly saying, "I don't know, I'm retired!"

After Bob completed his degree at UW, Bob & Sandy decided it was time to expand the family and they welcomed their first-born Carolyn in 1979. She was followed two years later by Jennifer. Three years later, after Bob had nightmares of being able to staff his own all-female basketball team with his own daughters, they welcomed their son Chris. After growing up with many siblings of his own, Bob valued spending time with his children, and his nieces and nephews.

Not one to be still for long, Bob started taking his children along on his adventures shortly after birth. The family was always busy on trips, hiking, camping, biking, boating; there were also long road trips accompanied by the soundtrack of Johnny Horton and ABBA.

Psalm 24:1 “The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it, the world, and all those in it.” Bob lived this verse as he took such joy in showing God’s creation to others. Bob took this love of nature and applied it to his role as a leader in Natural Resources 4-H.

As his children grew up and got married, Bob started his next great adventure as a grandfather. Having his grandchildren Ariah, Abigail, and Rebecca kept Bob young, as he and Sandy shared their favorite places with the next generation. Eventually they retired from Natural Resources and formed the new group Outdoor Adventures with Woodinville Community Church.

Bob never met a stranger and was never without a friend. New acquaintances were quickly brought into his group, with many becoming part of the family. He was a father figure to many of his children’s friends, and deeply loved his bonus children and grandchildren.

Bob was always game for the next new exploit and always brought humor to every situation. He was great with a dad joke, but he was also an engrossing storyteller. Anyone who has ever told stories around a campfire with him knows the Tale of the Coffin.

There was no place that made him happier than being on the water. This started with trading in the horses for kayaks (“cheaper to feed”) and later moved on to his sailboat “It’ll Be Fine”. Sailing progressed to a power boat in “Family Time”, and later their yacht “Orca Belle”.

He also believed in the importance of showing God’s love in service to his community. Starting in high school, he joined a prison ministry to bring worship, community, and a few bad jokes to those who were incarcerated. In his later years, he also spent time collecting food for the local food bank.

Bob is survived by his wonderful wife Sandra of 47 years; his less good-looking brothers John, Frank, and Kenneth; his adventure loving children Carolyn, Jennifer, and Christopher; and his darling grand-children Ariah, Abigail, and Rebecca. He also loved his children’s amazing spouses Jake, Jason, and Christa.

Bob is preceded to Heaven by his mother LaFon Morgan (Clemence) and father Bill Clemence, and his oldest brother William.

A celebration of life for Robert will be held Saturday, September 2, 2023 at 2:00 PM at Woodinville Community Church, 17110 140th Ave. NE, Woodinville, WA 98072.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.PurdyKerr.com for the Clemence family.