Robert Alan Denis

Bob was born in Brooklyn N.Y. to Frederick and Dorothy Denis and lived happily in Laurelton N.Y. near his extended Irish family with plenty of cousins and young neighborhood lads to enjoy until age 14 when his mother passed away. He and his younger brother Don moved to Bayonne, New Jersey to live with an aunt and uncle. He made new friends and enjoyed a good high school education there. Upon graduation, Bob acquired a job as a paste-up artist for a Manhattan N.Y. printing company and he commuted daily to New York. At night he took classes at Cooper Union College acquiring credits toward a Bachelor’s Degree in Fine Arts. About three years later, the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor. America entered WWII and Bob quickly enrolled in the Army Air Corps to serve his country. Next came training and being granted the rank of Sergeant. Bob was deployed as a weather observer in the northern regions of Alaska and Canada with the 66th AAC. He was in charge of 4 or 5 men observing weather patterns that allowed the Lend Lease aircraft to safely fly to Russia and to Europe. They were also on call for rescue missions of downed pilots.

After the war, having fallen in love with the west, he enrolled in college at the University of Colorado, earning a BFA. He worked as an assistant advertising manager at Montgomery Ward Inc. and then as a Scientific Illustrator for the United States Geological Survey.

He met and married Joyce Rogers who he had met on a blind date. Joyce was working at that time as a flight attendant for United Airlines flying into Denver. After ten dates, he asked for her hand in marriage. They bought a small house in Boulder, Colorado near the campus and he became a partner in a small advertising agency. Three happy years passed and Bob felt a desire to further his education. He sold his share in the agency and their first home. They headed west to Eugene, Oregon where Bob was accepted in their graduate program at the University of Oregon. They made new lifetime friends, explored the Pacific coast and thrived in this environment too. After acquiring an M.S. in Journalism, he landed a job at the University of Washington teaching advertising classes for several years. Bob eventually returned to the printing industry working for the Deers Press, summer jobs with the Seattle Times, and then was employed for seventeen productive years selling printing for Craftsman Press in Seattle.

During those productive years, Joyce and Bob had added two sons to their family, Michael and Donald. They had bought and sold homes in the Madrona area and in Wedgwood before settling down at the edge of Laurelhurst near St. Bridget’s Church where Bob became a member. Bob also became active in the Brigade program at Michael and Joyce’s church and then The Boy Scouts of America when Don was a member. He served on various parent committees and as a summer scout master. He was also a twenty one year volunteer for the Red Cross and served on their board for a year.

Sadly, Joyce passed away in 1989 after 40 wonderful years of marriage, leaving him with the care of his two sons.

On December 29, 1991, Bob and Barbara Korres Garrison were married. Their union was first blessed by Father Quigg at Saint Bridget’s Church and then finalized at Plymouth Congregational Church by Tony Robinson.

Bob and Joyce had met Barbara when they first arrived in Seattle at the home of her parents Edith and Clyde Robinson. The occasion was to introduce The Denis pair to the other faculty members as the new arrivals in the Communication Department at the “U”. Bob was working closely with Clyde on various student involved publications like the Daily, the Tyee yearbook, and programs for athletic events. About a year later, Bob and Barbara’s husband met each other at the viewing window where Barb’s twin sons and Joyce’s newborn first son were on display (remember in those days women remained in bed for 5 days and the babies were shown through glass). Joyce and Barb became friends, were partners in a Bridge Club and occasionally the two families shared holidays and outings. Later, when Barbara taught the second grade at Epiphany School, located across the pond from the Denis Madrona home, she became son Don’s teacher and frequently was invited to their kitchen for a quick lunch break.

After a brief honeymoon of skiing at White Pass, Bob traveled between his house and Barb’s condo in Ravenna while she completed her final year of teaching. They arranged the sale of both dwellings while searching for a new home. Having found the perfect retirement nest on the edge of View Ridge, they settled into retirement life.

In September, they took a second honeymoon to England, bought Brit Rail passes, and made their way around England by using that country’s ancient walking paths. Ever the student Bob had completed a class at the Lifetime Learning School and had collected maps of the areas he wanted to see around the world. They also purchased a VW camper and loved that way of travel and adventure too. They liked the freedom of discovering the back roads of their beloved PNW. Bob especially liked revisiting the places in Montana and Arizona where he had spent his youth stationed as a soldier. Their frequent walks in Discovery Park gave rise to his memories of being stationed there for final training before heading North on duty. As he was reaching 100, one of his most favorite things to do was to sit on his favorite log on North Beach near the lighthouse at Discovery Park and watch Barb walk the beach and the boats float by. Magnuson Park at Sand Point was also a favorite. On his last outing there, Barb was on a blanket and he was sitting in a chair watching life walk by. He reached down to pet a duck that was passing by and it bit him on the hand. Now that’s a story.

For years Bob had been volunteering to serve dinners and wash the dishes at the soup kitchen by St. James Cathedral and he continued to enjoy that service. Another enjoyment they added to their agenda was Seattle Symphony tickets. They took frequent skiing trips both on their own and with Barb’s ski groups. Bob switched to the Messiah Lutheran Church congregation on 35th NE and especially enjoyed their adult Bible Classes. He kept the home fires burning while Barb continued her foreign adventure travel trips. Together they explored Ireland and the Scandinavian Countries, ending in the trip from the far North by ship down the coast to Oslo. He painted the house and spent hours on the roof trying to solve drainage problems. He tinkered with remodeling the patio roof. Most nice evenings, he and Barb took long walks in the neighborhood. Life was filled with friends, family, and fun. The backyard was fenced and had provided space for Sally and Pepe, Bob’s last two German Shepherds (in sequence Bob had owned and loved 9 of this favorite breed).

As time went by, Bob became more involved in caring for his eldest son Michael. Michael declined in health and needed many medical appointments. Finally, he was placed in a group home and Bob did much tireless work in tending to his needs until Covid. Sadly, Michael died in June shortly after Bob’s 100th birthday.

In 2004 when he was 83 and still quite active, he and Barb decided to start looking for an adult retirement home while both were still able to handle the move together. After spasmodic exploration of the options, they settled on University House. It was chosen mostly for its location in Wallingford with stores, banks, dentists, a movie theater, two bus lines, a post office and a library within walking distance. It was a good decision and offered many activities for both of them. It also provided assisted living for him as he aged. He was elected to the House Resident’s Council and served as Treasurer for two years. He enjoyed the many concerts and lectures until his hearing declined drastically as did his eyesight. In his later years, he was forced into the life of a recluse. This was a safe haven for him.

Bob happily celebrated his one hundredth birthday on a lovely Spring day on the University House patio accompanied by close to 100 residents who lined up to shake his hand (due to Covid only residents were invited). Although preferring not to be the center of attention, he rose to the occasion and had a rip roaring time. He was admired by many there. Though not always agreeing with him politically, they liked his intelligence and his warmth. He kept his marvelous memory until the end and could come up with questions for his greeters about their families or common interests. He remembered almost everyone’s name! When asked, “What do you think accounts for your longevity?” He often came up with the response, “Two good wives”. Surely that helped, but also he was a man of great inner strength.

By the time of his passing, he had dealt with an early loss of his sister, then his mother and then his father, his wife and finally his eldest son Michael. Bob was a man of deep faith and holding tightly to Jesus as his Lord and Savior, he soldiered on to the end. He will be missed by many for his friendliness, his generosity, his welcoming smile, his sense of personal responsibility, his respect for others, his hospitality, his kindness and his politeness.

His last 6 months were difficult, but he managed to show appreciation for all that was done for him. He had lost his independence, yet, he remained a classic gentleman. He lived his life with dignity and by the rules. He is survived by his wife Barbara, his son Donald Alan Denis, his brother Donald Alan Denis along with his wife and family, and Barbara’s loving family.

His remains will be interred beside his former wife Joyce and their eldest son Michael in the Evergreen Washelli Cemetery. At his request, there will be a private graveside memorial in April.

The family gives thanks to VIP Homecare, Hospice and the University House Wellness staff for their loving care.