Obituary of Robert Wyckoff

Robert (Bob) Charles Wyckoff March 15, 1923 Robert Charles Wyckoff breathed his first breath. November 16th 2009 he breathed his last. Alma Gene Wyckoff, his wife of 62 years, son Chuck (Robert Jr.) and daughter Christine Welch grieve this loss yet know Bob is much happier now. His health in the later years gave him many challenges. Bob’s parents Frederick Charles Wyckoff and Elna Arika had three children. Bob the youngest is survived by his sister Ethel Travis. Edith Lewis, his oldest sister pasted away in 2007. Bob also had the joy of his granddaughter, Rosie Wyckoff Beegle and grandsons Kevin and Kelly Welch and his great grandchildren, Natalie and Jeremiah Welch, children of Kevin and Courtney. Early experiences included a newspaper route, theater usher, fry cook and machinist apprentice in the Bremerton Naval Shipyard before getting his chance to help our country by joining the U.S Army Air Corp. where he served until the end of WWII. Bob loved to fly. In 1947 Bob and Gene married, moved to Longview Washington and started a family. Bob sold sporting goods before joining the Longview Fire Department in 1953. He retired in 1974 achieving the rank of Fire Marshal. During his adult years Bob grew to be an excellent outdoorsman, fishing his passion, and hunting kept him busy stocking the freezer. Bob cooked what he caught and all enjoyed his artwork in the kitchen. In his later healthy years he moved to Olympia, built a home in Carlyon Beach Country Club, played cards, golfed with his buddies, and traveled extensively with Gene. Travel included Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, Europe, Africa, and most of the U.S. via travel trailer. Salmon fishing hands down was Bob’s favorite sport, followed by goose hunting at Toule Lake in Northern California. Sekiu was a favorite place to fish salmon over a 60 plus year period of time. His ashes will find their way to Sekiu this coming September. “Last Alarm” services will be given by firemen from Cowlitz County. Bob requests no fuss over his passing and wants Gene to be comfortable in the years to come. A Celebration of Life will be held in Olympia on December 1st at 11:00 a.m. at South Sound Manor, the address is 455 North Street. A reception will follow the service. Please leave memories and condolences online by clicking on "View Guestbook" below.