Obituary of Robert David Funkhouser

Robert David Funkhouser, MD August 14, 1934 – February 14, 2011 Robert David Funkhouser, a physician and longtime Olympia resident, died on February 14, 2011. He was 76. A family doctor in Olympia for 35 years, Bob approached his work with the small town values of his boyhood, making house calls throughout his career and serving the medical community outside his practice. Bob served as President of the St. Peter Hospital Community Board, President of the St. Peter Hospital Medical Staff, and President of the Thurston County Medical Society. He was also active in numerous local volunteer endeavors, including “Meals on Wheels,” which became a treasured activity for him after his retirement. Born in the small community of La Crosse, Indiana, Bob grew up playing basketball and baseball and working summers as a section hand on the railroad. After graduating in a class of twelve from La Crosse High School in 1952, Bob attended Indiana University and graduated Phi Beta Kappa. He went on to Indiana University Medical School, where he was a member of the Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society. While at Indiana University, Bob met a fellow student named Dorothy Kretsch, who is known to everyone by her childhood nickname of “Coke.” Bob and Coke were married in 1958. Bob, who had fallen in love with the Pacific Northwest on a boyhood visit with an uncle in Spokane, brought his new family to Seattle, where he interned at King County Harborview Hospital. After completing his internship and serving as a captain in the U.S. Army, Bob settled in Olympia and established a practice with Dr. Ed Olson. Over the past 50 years in Olympia, Bob and Coke raised two daughters and welcomed four grandchildren for numerous visits to their westside home, which they rechristened “Camp Funk.” A gentle man and a caregiver by nature, Bob was a great friend who nurtured many close relationships over the years, including childhood companions from La Crosse, the “Big House Gang” of Hoosiers who also resettled in the Northwest and, of course, his many dear friends and neighbors in Olympia. He particularly cherished his weekly coffee dates with his pals—right up to the week he entered the hospital. He and Coke enjoyed adventures and humor with family and friends throughout their 53 years of marriage. Bob’s laughter (a sound which some have likened to the cry of the Varied Thrush) was heard often, not least when a dear friend gave him the nickname “Grosbeak.” Bob is survived by his wife, Coke Funkhouser, daughter Susan Robinson (Rob) of Sammamish, WA, daughter Karen Kyle (Chris) of Nyack, NY, and grandchildren Andy Robinson, Trevor Robinson, Will Kyle, and Maggie Kyle. His nephew Bill Funkhouser (Janet) of Tulsa, OK, also survives him. We invite you to attend a memorial service for Bob on Friday, March 11, at 3:00 pm, at The United Churches, 110 Eleventh SE, Olympia, WA 98501. The family suggests any donations be made to the Providence St. Peter Hospital Foundation, 413 Lilly Rd. NE, Olympia, WA 98506, or to The United Churches. To leave memories of Bob or condolences for the family, please click on "View Guestbook" below.