Robert Alex Liesik

Rob was born to Alex Andrew and Josephine Schiller Liesik on Nov. 20, 1945, in Chicago, Illinois. He was the couple’s second child, joining his older sister, Barbara Joy. The family welcomed another son, Richard Michael, in 1947. They later moved to Prospect Heights, Illinois.

Rob – who was known as “Bob” in his youth – graduated from St. Paul Lutheran School in Mt. Prospect in 1959. He attended Prospect High School, where he competed on the swim team. He graduated in 1963. After receiving his draft notice, he enlisted in the Army.

Rob served his country bravely in Vietnam. His commendations include the Bronze Star with “V” device for valor, the Army Commendation Medal with two oak leaf clusters, the Vietnam Service Medal with five stars, and the Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm Leaf.

After Vietnam, the Army stationed Rob in Illinois ahead of the tumultuous 1968 Democratic National Convention in Chicago. The posting allowed Rob to be close to home during the final days of his mother’s battle with cancer. Josephine died on Sept. 5, 1969. Rob’s father, Alex, later married Josephine’s sister, Georgetta Schiller. She was a wonderful stepmother and Rob loved her very much.

Following his work in Illinois, Rob was briefly stationed at Fort Meade, Maryland, before being transferred to Frankfort, Germany. There he met Cynthia Marie Maule, who was also serving in the Army. They married on Feb. 23, 1971. They joined The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in 1973 and later had their marriage solemnized in the Provo Utah Temple.

Together, Rob and Cindy had four children: Geoffrey Bradford, Stasha Anniece, Michael Andrew, and Daniel Aaron. Rob’s continuing military service meant the family moved frequently over the years, living on or near military bases in Missouri; North Carolina; Arizona; California; Munich, Germany; and Texas before Rob retired in 1986 as a Chief Warrant Officer 3 after 23 years in Army Intelligence.

The family moved to the Seattle area later that year, where Rob attended the University of Washington, earning a bachelor’s degree in political science. Rob and Cindy divorced in 1989.

Rob met Iris Ellen Bachmann at a church function the following year and they married on May 18, 1991. Their marriage was later solemnized in the Seattle Washington Temple. Rob loved Iris deeply and did all he could to support her during their nearly 30 years of marriage.

Rob worked at UW in the university’s Information Technology Division, starting in 1990 as a student assistant. He retired from UW in January 2013 as a computer support specialist. He enjoyed the work and the challenges it presented.

Rob was active in his faith. When his children were younger, he served in various church leadership positions, including as a Scoutmaster. He found joy in mentoring youth, including his sons, through the Scouting program. He and Iris also served as temple workers at the Seattle Temple, something they both enjoyed immensely.

In addition to his religion, Rob was passionate about politics and was proud to be a Republican. He was also an avid train enthusiast with a special love for Lionel trains. He still had some of the trains he’d played with as a child and was looking forward to passing them down to his grandchildren.

Rob loved his kids and his grandkids. He was proud of their accomplishments and bragged about them frequently. He would “torture” them each year on their birthday by calling at the most ungodly hour to sing Happy Birthday to them – not necessarily on-key. It is something we will miss. He also made long road trips, when his health allowed, to attend baptisms, football games and other special events.

Rob’s legacy lives on in the storytelling abilities and wanderlust he passed down to his kids. Each of them can spin a yarn with ease and they all love to travel, sometimes with little to no advance planning. After all, trip planning is for people who never spent a solid month every summer with their dad while he drove a 1972 Volkswagen bus in a huge loop around America so they could visit their grandparents in Washington state and Illinois. Those trips generated countless stories that are still retold today to Rob’s grandkids, keeping the family lore alive.

Rob’s family is grateful to the doctors, nurses, CNAs, home health providers and other medical professionals who cared for him as his health declined over the past few years. Your compassion, expertise and empathy will not be forgotten. The family is also grateful to those who stepped in to help Rob or reached out to him over the past several years. Your friendship and acts of service made his life fuller and richer.

Rob is preceded in death by his parents, his stepmother and his sister. He is survived by his devoted wife, Iris; his children Geoff (Vanessa) Liesik, Stasha (Chris) Burton, Mike (Nissa) Liesik, and Dan (Kahlee) Liesik; nine grandchildren – Hannah Liesik, Kaylee Liesik, Carson Liesik, Jackson Liesik, Xavier Liesik, Wilson Liesik, Bailey Burton, Campbell Burton and Dylan Burton; his brother, Richard Liesik; sister-in-law, April (Mark) Russell; and their daughter, Miranda Fowler.

A private funeral service with public webcasting will be held March 11, 2021, at 10 a.m. at Evergreen Funeral Home and Cemetery, 4504 Broadway, Everett, Washington. Following the service, a private family committal/grave dedication with full military honors will be held at Tahoma National Cemetery, Kent, Washington.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating time or money to the veterans charity of your choice in Rob’s name.