Mr. Vernon D. Nusbaum

Went peacefully to heaven from his home on July 26, 2011, after a very long illness.

Born June 30, 1932 in Chicago, Illinois, to Warner and Lola Nusbaum, where, from the age of 11, he grew up next door to Doris who would be his lifelong companion and wife. He joined the United States Air Force in 1952, serving with honor and distinction for 21 years. His duties were varied including Titan I and Titan II ICBM maintenance. He served in Greenland, was deployed to Vietnam where he served in Special Ops. Following his return home he eventually retired in 1972 in Spokane to live and raise his family.

His first civilian position was as a heating engineer at Gonzaga University, and he later became Director of University Services, where he oversaw all buildings, maintenance, security, remodeling and custodial services, etc. He put Gonzaga on the front page of the Wall Street Journal by winning the $10,000 U.S. Steel/NACUBO Cost Incentive Reduction Award for the University. He retired in 1987.

Vern's soul was part cowboy, part Mr. Fixit and part salesman. He loved the art of the deal, often saying "the sale doesn't start until the customer says no." He loved his family above all, and cars, watches, guns, his horses and dogs and challenges of any kind. Vern was a patriarch in the truest sense of the word, always there for his family. He best enjoyed being at home with kin, pets and a remodeling project.

He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Doris, children Linda and husband David, Dale (now deceased) and wife Terri, Lee David, Nancy and husband David; grandsons Sean, Nicholas, Zachary, Brandon, Dylan, Jordan, granddaughter Stefani, great-grandsons Connor and soon-to-be born Henry, and his only brother Warren in Missouri. He was profoundly loved and respected and will be deeply missed by all who knew him.

Visitation will be held on Sunday, July 31, 2011 from 12:00pm until 8:00pm. Funeral Services will be held on Monday, August 1, 2011 at 10:00am at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to SCRAPS, 2521 N. Flora Rd, Spokane Valley, WA 99216.