Robert Herness

Robert Carl Herness, age 96, of Olympia, Wash. passed to God at Providence/St. Peter Hospital on April 18, 2017. He was born in Tacoma on Nov. 16, 1920, and raised in McKenna and Yelm due to his father’s work in the timber industry and earning a tough livelihood milking cows and pitching hay.

After graduating from Yelm H.S., he attended and graduated from Pacific Lutheran College, and went onto graduate school at the University of Washington, earning his master’s degree.

Shortly after World War II commenced, he married his high school sweetheart, Dorothy Fristoe, and this marriage lasted for 72 wonderful years until she passed in2014. During the war, he served in the U.S. Navy as a Chief Petty Officer whose responsibilities were to make sure the TBF’s, Corsairs, and Hellcats flew well.

After the war ended, his professional career began as a teacher in East Olympia, later Tumwater and Burien before returning to Thurston County as the County Superintendent. As the North Thurston School District grew, he was principal of South Bay Elementary, Assistant Superintendent of the whole district, interim superintendent and retired there after devoting 40 years educating our youth.

He was active in Rotary, youth sports and an exceptional golfer, winning many trophies at the Olympia Golf and Country Club. He enjoyed duplicate bridge, ballroom dancing, travelling the world, spending winters in Palm Springs and he even climbed Mt. St. Helens. After his wife, he devoted unlimited attention and love to his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.

He is survived by two sons Bob Herness, wife, Saveth, and Gary Herness, wife, Cathy; and nine grandchildren: Kateri Neal (Denis), Dominic Herness (Kim), Stephanie Schilter (Jeff), Moly Link (J.T.), Anne Marie Delaney (Sean), Shannon Herness, Anthony Herness (Nonis), Megan Herness, and Joel Herness. He, also, is survived by his brother Earl (Babe) Herness and 23 great-grandchildren.

The funeral will be held at Mills and Mills Funeral Home in Tumwater, Wash., on Tuesday, April 25, 2017, at 11 a.m. followed by interment at the Masonic Cemetery. After interment, there will be a reception for the guests at Pellegrino's Event Center.