Robert William Wallace

Born April 26, 1943, in Olympia, Washington, Bob was the oldest son of Robert and Violet Young Wallace. Bob had four siblings, Steve, Tobi, Doug and Debbie. Bob attended school in North Thurston and Tenino School Districts before joining the Navy in July 1960, at the age of 17. He served as an Airman and Aviation Structural Mechanic, primarily stationed in Guam. He earned his GED while serving in the Navy. He was released from active duty in May 1964.

Shortly after his return to civilian life, Bob met Mary Catherine “Cathy” Martin through his brother Steve. They were married on October 2, 1964. Bob and Cathy had two children, Robert “Bob” and Carrie. Bob and Cathy moved many times over the years as they worked to improve life for themselves and their children. They finally settled in Olympia and built a home in the Steamboat Island area in 1980.

Bob spent most of his career driving truck. At one time he and his brother Steve had matching log trucks. He worked several years as a long haul truck driver for different trucking companies. Bob began working as a night driver for O’Neill and Sons in the early 1980s while maintaining a day job at an equipment lease company. He eventually left the leasing company to join the O’Neill team full time as a driver and operations manager. Bob worked for O’Neills until 2007, a career spanning over 20 years.

Bob and Cathy always had a home project going. From building pump houses, to installing a pool and surrounding deck, to landscaping several acres of untamed land, they worked hard to beautify the world they lived in. Bob invested in a property development plan in Aberdeen and moved there with Cathy shortly before he retired. It was a difficult move at first, but they found lifelong friends in their new neighborhood.

Bob and Cathy were avid travelers. From his long haul truck driving days, Bob loved to be on the road and Cathy was happy to join him. They traveled up and down the west coast, across the country to the Midwest, and often made trips to the Southwest to visit their son and his family, who had moved to Arizona. They were fortunate to take an Alaska cruise, a trip to Ireland with longtime family friends, and a cruise through the Mediterranean with their daughter and her husband after Bob retired.

Bob enjoyed motorcycle riding throughout his adult life. Shortly before he retired, he purchased his dream bike, a Harley Davidson Heritage Softail. He went on several extended road trips with his son, who shared his passion for biking. Cathy was happy to ride along on shorter trips.

Cathy was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in 2007. Shortly after her diagnosis, Bob had an accident on his bike near their home. It took Bob many months to recover from his severe injuries. Cathy went into remission from her cancer and they continued traveling and enjoying retired life. Sadly, her cancer was aggressive and returned within a year. She passed away at home in Aberdeen in July 2009.

Bob tried to move forward with life alone after Cathy’s death. He moved from his community in Aberdeen to Olympia to be closer to his daughter and her family. He bought a new motorcycle after his accident and continued riding for several years. He continued his road trips through 2020, when COVID restricted activity. He was very involved with his grandchildren and was fortunate to live to see the birth of his great-grandchild, born to his grandson Austin and his wife Shawnta.

Bob had been strong and healthy his whole life, even after the accident. He started feeling his age after lockdown in 2020. He missed Cathy more and more as time passed. He had ongoing heart issues that became more significant in 2025. On January 9, 2026, he had a heart attack that he couldn’t recover from, and he died at the hospital on January 16, 2026. His daughter Carrie was at his side as he passed from this life.

Bob was predeceased by his parents, his beloved wife Cathy, his brother Steve, and his sister Tobi. He is survived by his son Bob (wife Carlee) of Scottsdale, AZ, his daughter Carrie (husband Gary) of Olympia, WA, his four grandchildren, Bobby, Austin (wife Shawnta), Madison and Arissa, and his great-grandson Hayden. A private celebration of life was held on February 22 at the home of his daughter. It was well attended by family and friends. Bob left an indelible mark on the lives of those who met him. His loss is felt deeply by his family.