Robert Joseph Hemmen

Robert “Bob” Joseph Hemmen, beloved husband, father, grandfather, and friend, passed away peacefully on March 24, 2024 surrounded by his family, after a courageous battle with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). He was 86 years old.

Bob was born December 7th, 1937, in Detroit, MI to Joseph and Sylvia Hemmen. He attended St. Anthony’s high school and, after a short stint in the Army, received his bachelor’s degree in finance from Wayne State University. He met his beloved wife, Gloria in 1961 on a blind date. They were married in August 1964 and started their family in the Detroit area. Bob worked in the banking industry as Chief Financial Officer. Never one to sit still, he was always looking for new career opportunities and was able to work in many parts of the country, including the Detroit, Boston, Seattle, Spokane, San Francisco, Chicago, and Olympia areas. He spent the last six years of his career in international banking in Moldova and Jordan.

Bob loved his family, his many RVs, road trips, traveling to new places, Hawaii, personal accountability, the newest technology, a good steak, reading the Economist, watching Dr. Pol, photography, Allan Edwards shoes, a clean car, a good deal, replacing appliances before the warrantee ran out, Jane’s crazy mixed up salt, eating out anywhere with a view, a coat and hat for every possible weather condition, his grandkids, a nice walk, Lee Child’s Jack Reacher books, reading in his chair under the awning while camping, a good cigar to keep the mosquitos away, getting together for the holidays with family and most of all his wife of almost 60 years, Gloria.

Bob is survived by his wife, Gloria, his children Rob, Molly and Eric and their spouses, Leilah, Brian and Susan, his grandchildren, William, Sam, Jonathan, Laura, Jonah, Jacob and Kendra, his sister Fran Saverino and countless friends and colleagues.

A memorial mass has been scheduled in honor of Bob at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Lacey, Washington. Please contact the family for details regarding date and time of the ceremony. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the ALS Association in his memory.