Robert Summerrise

January 26, 1925 - November 12, 2010

On Friday November 12th we lost the patriarch of our family and an icon in the Seattle radio & music scene. Bob Summerrise, affectionately known as "Brother Bob" passed away peacefully at Valley General hospital in Renton. He was born in Chicago on January 26, 1925 of the union of Robert Summerrise Sr. and Gertrude Shields. Brother Bob moved to the Seattle area in the early 40's where he began a successful career as a broadcaster on numerous radio stations including, but not limited to; KTAC, KQDE, KAYO, KZAM & KYAC. Truly a Northwest pioneer in the field, he was one of the first African-American on-air personalities and the first with an engineering license.

He married his wife Hellyne on March 5, 1954 and together they raised 3 children while operating Summerises' World of Music record shop on Seattle's historic Jackson Street. Bob & Hellyne were passionate community activists who worked tirelessly to improve the plight of the underprivileged. They formed non-profit organizations such as "The I Can Dream Foundation" & "The Children's House" Montessori School to help spearhead those efforts.

Brother Bob is survived by his daughter, Marsha Miles, sons, Robert III(Robin) and Gregory Summerrise; grandchildren, Nikki, Celita, Dylin, Robin Renee, Robert IV, Franceska, Jai Jai and Toussaint; great-grandchildren, Damon, Jazzlin, Jaya & Toussaint; nieces, Fai Mathews, Marguerite Richard and Shawn Richard-Davis plus many, many more beloved family members and dear friends. Father, brother, uncle and grandpa to all, "Papa" will be sorely missed in the lives and hearts of all he touched.