Robert Douglas Col

June 25, 1923 - March 24, 2009

Robert Douglas Col Obituary A long-time resident of Spokane passed away peacefully in his daughter-in-law's arms on Tuesday, March 24, 2009 at Alterra's Alzheimer Facility, the results of kidney failure, heart failure, and Alzheimer's disease. Bob lived a good life and was friendly, kind, generous, and caring. He was born on June 25, 1923 in San Jose, CA to Raymond Alphonse Col and Marjorie Thompson Col. Bob married Patricia McGuire Col of Bend, OR on November 10, 1946, who had been introduced to him by Bob's Uncle Mervyn Promis "Buzz" Col. Bob attended San Jose High School and San Jose State College where he studied to become a veterinarian until he joined the Army Air Corp where he was a flight instructor based in Tonopah, NV during WWII. After being honorably discharged Bob answered the calling of his Uncle "Buzz" and began running the family fruit dehydrator in Morgan Hill, CA. When the dehydrator was sold, Bob went to work for the Dried Fruit Association in San Francisco, CA where he stayed until he took over running the family fruit ranch in San Jose. Bob retired when the ranch was sold in 1971. The main San Jose Postal Facility is now located on the former ranch site. In 1992 Bob and his wife Pat moved from the home he had built by hand in 1950 to their new home in Spokane to be closer to their younger son "Mart", who has been a resident of Spokane since 1984. They loved camping in their RV "home" and their annual 2 week trip to Mazatlan Mexico. Bob enjoyed hunting, fishing, camping, golf, and ocean cruises. While he enjoyed hunting and fishing throughout most of his life, when he moved to Spokane he gave up hunting and every winter spent hundreds of dollars on high quality feed for the deer around his home, often feeding up to 28 at one time. He nursed many pets and wounded birds back to health and is survived by his loving feline companion "Kitty". Bob also enjoyed boating and teaching his children and grandchildren to water ski and body surf. He also enjoyed fixing things and he could build or fix just about anything. His son Marty says this is one of the most important things that his father taught him along with how to love and show that love to his wife and children. Bob was a lifetime member of the Benevolent Protective Order of the Elks which he often enjoyed while living in San Jose. His greatest achievements were raising his two sons, caring for his parents, and enjoying his lasting marriage to his wife. Bob was preceded in death by his loving wife, Pat, who passed away in 2005. Bob is survived by his one older brother Raymond "Tom" Col and Tom's wife Betty of Merced, CA. He is also survived by his children: Douglas Col, Ashland, OR and Martin Col and his wife Laura Jean Ryan Col of Nine Mile Falls, WA. When his son Marty married Laura Jean Ryan, Bob took Laura in not just as a daughter-in-law, but as the daughter he always wanted but never had. He treated Laura with fatherly love and caring. His grandchildren include: Catherine Manguson of Holmen, WI; Lt. Stephen Col USN of Monterey, CA; Laurel Col of Woods Hole, MA; Heidi Col of Reno, NV and his two step-grandsons whom Bob treated as his own, Chris Ryan of Hendersonville, NC and Stephen Ryan of Nine Mile Falls, WA. Chris and Stephen spent a great deal of time with Bob, and Chris was especially gentle and caring to him. Stephen was with Bob in his last hour. Bob was inurned in the veterans section at Greenwood Memorial Terrace in Spokane. A private ceremony was attended by his son Marty, daughter-in-law Laura, and his two step-grandsons Chris, and Stephen. Bob was very generous in his support of the Alzheimer's Association. He remained kind, loving and generous even during his own struggles with Alzheimer's disease which encouraged his daughter-in-law Laura to become active in the Alzheimer's Association as a Board Member. Donations in his memory may be made to the Alzheimer's Association for research. Through his own battle with Alzheimer's, he may support those who struggle now or in the future with Alzheimer's. He will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him.