Robert Lee Howell AKA Arboretum Bob

*Memorial service held at The Yakima Arboretum Yakima, WA; noon to 2pm

*Pastor Eric Anderson…. Spiritual Blessings

*Military Honors, Gun Salute, and Taps

*DVD presented by Howell family

*Open chat about memories

*Light luncheon after service

*Memorial Tree Planting

Thank you to all that helped in making this day special. Our prayers and condolences to all Robert’s family and friends.

He was a stranger to no one and he was generous to all.

He will be greatly missed by all who loved & cared for him.

Robert Lee Howell of Yakima, WA passed away on Saturday, December 10, 2016 surrounded by his loving family. He had been battling heart disease. He was born August 26, 1953 in Portland, OR to Harry W. Howell and Theresa V. Mulkins. He grew up in Aloha, OR; attended Aloha Park Elementary, Highland Park Middle School, then graduated in 1972 from Aloha High School. Bob was a member of the Washington County Sheriff’s Office Law Enforcement Explorer Post #877 in Hillsboro, OR. Bob was an honorary disabled US Army Veteran. He served October 31, 1972 to August 28 1975; 1976 to 1980; 1988 to 1991 with multiple overseas tours. His job with the Military Police gave him pride and a sense of helping others. That job experience gave him an opportunity to work in the Department of Corrections field for the Washington State penitentiary system. Robert achieved multiple college degrees that included studies of Law; with the most recent being a Chemical Dependency counseling degree.

Early in his life he learned to survive off the land where he developed a spiritual love for the earth and all that it contained. Hunting and fishing was a natural skill that he mastered as an art and he loved sharing it with others. Although he loved living in the mountains, the Oregon coast was one of his favorite places on earth. He found his natural family and home with his wife Joie at the Arboretum in Yakima for about 12 years. Each day he was able to take his dogs and get on the golf cart and explore the many acres of natural habitat. He had a deep love for his dogs, so they went everywhere with him. At the Arboretum, he was able to keep his “Wilderness man “ appearance with long beard, basic clothes of modest but simple style.

He was a natural Master in Garbagelogy, Dumpster diver, Recycler, and just making anything into something to give another new life. He even recycled and donated his eyes and skin as an organ donor after his death. Bob had a talent for artistic tinkering and organization of a pile of junk. His most recent projects included multiple bird feeders, and welded, sculptured, replicated bugs and critters, made from a variety of junk items. He also made many different kind of garden art sculptures out of discarded or broken items. He was a shopaholic at thrift stores, habitat restore, flea markets, and garage sales. Thanks to his thrifty shopping habits, his sister Mary has over 40 unique one of a kind tea pots! He was always thinking of others and caring about their needs above his own.

Those who really knew Bob, knew he was a complex person with a healthy, but twisted sense of humor. He also enjoyed creating his own version of a classic recipe. He was a connoisseur of multiple cultural foods, and natural environmental herbs, fungi, and critters. He always convinced you to taste it before telling what it was.

Bob was married four times; he was married to Joie his 4th wife on Oct. 9, 1995, in Cebu City, Philippines, for 21 years of marriage. They didn’t have any kids, however, they had different kinds of dogs throughout the years. They loved and cared for them as their own children. Bob recently gave Joie, 2 female white pure bred puppies as a gift for their 20th and 21st wedding anniversaries (Gracie and Minnie).

Robert is survived by his loving wife Rosemarie (Joie) Howell of Yakima, WA; his son Christopher Lee Marsh of Jefferson City, MO; his brother Clarence (Cleo) Howell (Judy Howell), nephew Joshua Howell (Candace Howell) of Newberg, OR; his sister Mary Jane (Howell) Hogan (husband Bill Hogan) of Kennewick, WA, niece Victoria M. Hogan, Griffith (husband Gregory Griffith), great-nephew Edward W. Griffith of Portland, OR; niece Darlene L. Hogan, great-nephews Klayden and Jacob Morse of Kennewick, WA; niece Shayla J. Hogan, Givens, Hansen (husband Mathew Hansen), great-nieces Angelyka K. and Brigit N. Hansen, and great-nephew Richard L. Hansen of Yakima, WA.

A celebration of Bob’s life will be held Saturday, February 25, 2017 from noon to 2:00 pm at the Yakima Arboretum.

To share a memory of Bob, visit www.keithandkeith.com.