Robert "Bob" Herr

After years of struggling with health issues, Bob Herr, 72, passed peacefully away on January 14, 2023.

Bob was born in No. Attleboro, Massachusetts and was raised in South Seattle. Growing up he excelled in pole vaulting, football (playing alongside Terry Metcalf at Franklin High School), and spent endless hours on Lake Washington in his homemade hydroplane.

After graduating from Washington State and the University of Washington, he spent the majority of his career as a dentist serving in the military. His good fortune to be stationed in places like Colorado and the Bavarian Alps, allowed him to pursue his love for downhill ski racing.

After retiring and moving to Shelton, he embarked on a new challenge of designing and building custom-built barns, houses, and other structures for family members and friends. He prided himself in building these structures completely on his own, including the hardwood flooring made from his homemade sawmill. This was his true calling.

Never one to shy away from a good challenge, Bob’s hobbies included collecting vintage British cars, and dilapidated bulldozers and tractors that were far past their prime. It was the relentless pursuit of keeping them running that gave him great satisfaction. He also was an avid animal lover, never hesitating to rescue a dog in need. He always said he never met a dog he didn’t love, and that even included a cat or two.

During his lifetime, Bob fought hard for his convictions - believing strongly that we all have a moral obligation to take good care of this planet on which we live, a moral obligation to take good care of the people who live on it, and to support those who are less fortunate.

He was a very private person, but those who knew him best knew him to be fearless, deeply loyal, a perfectionist, a risk taker, acutely determined, having a wicked sense of humor, and definitely the one who took the road less traveled–always.

Bob will be profoundly missed by his wife, Karen, his family, and his friends.

As per Bob’s request, there will be a celebration of his life at his favorite beach for his immediate family.