Robert Ray “Bob” Logue, loving husband, father, friend, teacher and beloved life-long member of our community passed peacefully on Aug. 28, 2021, from a battle with a rare form of cancer at the age of 71.
Bob was born in Port Townsend, Washington on Nov. 17, 1949 to William F. Logue and Cecilia M. Qualls, at Saint John’s hospital, known today as Jefferson Healthcare. His middle name honors the late Dr. Ray Crist, longtime local family physician and deliverer of many a newborn in our area.
Number three in a lineup of eight children, his father Bill, retired from the hospital maintenance department, having spanned the transition from Saint John’s, to Jefferson General to Jefferson Healthcare. Mother Cecilia provided a loving, faith-filled home with room not only to care for her own children, but open arms to embrace many others throughout our community.
As a child, Bob possessed an enthusiastic love of nature. He spent hours in his father’s garden fascinated by the beauty of God’s creation. Fortunate was the injured bird or creature he discovered as he would lovingly and patiently nurture it back to health. The family chickens were also targets of his affection and curiosity. He loved to tell of the time he injected food coloring into fertile eggs that later hatched into a rainbow of colorful baby chicks.
Bob was known for being hardworking and ambitious. At the age of 9 he took a job as the Seattle P.I. paper boy for most of uptown Port Townsend. Up at 4 a.m., he folded newspapers, loaded his canvas bag and walked his route of more than 100 customers rain or shine. He hungrily returned home to enjoy a hearty breakfast that would often include homemade bread or biscuits. Then it was off to school.
Young Bob saved his hard-earned money and proudly bought a red bicycle from Wiedel’s Hardware store. This cut his route time down significantly. Bob did admit he was distracted by the rabbitry in one customer’s back yard. He just had to stop and pet the rabbits before riding on. To this day, he could recall the names of his customers, laughingly tell of their quirks (including those who perhaps drank too much) as well as the generous tips coming in the form of a candy bar or silver coin. He retold frightening tales of vicious dogs nipping at his heels as he peddled with all of his might. Unfortunately he was unable to outrun that “mean ol’ German shepherd on Lawrence Street.” It bit him on the left thigh leading to a trip to the hospital and multiple stitches.
Payday brought real excitement, but not for the reasons one would think. He found great joy in giving... especially that day he surprised his sister, Cathy, with a brand-new bike. Then every Sunday he’d cheerfully hop on his bike, ride to Del’s Grocery to purchase popcorn, sodas and jelly beans for his family. That evening all gathered together to enjoy treats and watch “The Wonderful World of Disney.” (“Davy Crockett” was his favorite movie!)
By age 16, Bob had saved enough money to purchase his first car: a tan 1955 Ford Fairlane for $250. He then went to work at the Texaco gas station for $2.25 an hour. He proudly recalled, “That was when we washed the windshield, checked the oil, checked the tires and pumped gasoline for every customer.” Enticed by the prospects of $2.50 an hour, he next worked for Bob Harper at Harper’s Shell Station, who at one time or another, employed every Logue brother.
Bob spent much of his teen years hanging with his best friend, Bruce Cartmel. He admits they occasionally skipped school just to go fishing at Horseshoe Lake. He told of a prank the two of them pulled: With construction underway at the school, they took saw horses, the kind with the blinking lights and placed them on the roof of the Jr. High School building. He blames Bruce for the idea.
After graduating from Port Townsend High School, Class of 1968, it was off to Western Washington State College (WWU) where he earned a degree in English with a minor in Education.
He returned to Port Townsend and was immediately hired by Superintendent Gael Stuart where he spent the next 30 years teaching, mostly fifth grade. His passion for teaching and love for his students made him a much sought after educator by parents. He displayed a firm, but gentle approach with every child — challenging the gifted and cheering on those who had not yet recognized their own great potential.
Bob always maintained his great love of gardening by becoming a Master Gardener. He spent many of his summers working at a local garden center teaching an assortment of classes in hopes of inspiring others to become lifelong lovers of gardening. Harvesting his own garden was a busy time spent canning and storing earth’s bounty. A favorite of family and friends was his fresh raspberry jam that he looked forward to making year after year. Bob also loved the multitude of birds that visit our Pacific Northwest landscapes. He particularly enjoyed helping others design backyard sanctuaries to attract birds for year-round enjoyment.
Gifted with a heart of service to others, Bob moved on to work at OlyCap. There, he headed up the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program tasked with training and placing volunteers throughout our community. Though not a veteran himself, Bob had great respect for all who served our country. He pioneered a program — Vet Connect, with the motto “You served us, let us serve you” — to assist veterans with acquiring needed resources and the tools necessary to navigate the transition from military service back to civilian life. Fundraising for these programs soon became a wildly popular community wide event with the advent of “Dinner and a Murder.” Creative plays written, directed and performed by a host of local characters brought laughter, head-scratching and such joy! Bob was forever grateful as they eagerly volunteered their time and efforts for the cause. Bravo!
The greatest joy of Bob’s life was his family. He was often heard bragging about his children and grandchildren, touting each of their accomplishments and proudly showing pictures to anyone who would look. He laughed as he shared funny memories, stories of surviving teenage years, birthdays, graduations, weddings and the birth of each grandchild: “Each one is so special and precious to me. I am so blessed.”
When asked how he wanted to be remembered, he replied “As a man who loved the Lord.” His faith in God was sure; his trust in Christ unwavering. His prayer was that all would come to know the unconditional love of our heavenly Father and the joy that awaits all who believe.
Preceding him in death are his father, William F. Logue, mother, Cecilia M. Qualls, brother Dennis Logue and brother James Logue.
He is survived by his wife of 33 years, Kathleen; step-daughter Jenifer Muensterman of Chimacum, Wash.; son Jeremy (Maggie) of Lake Forest Park, Wash.; daughter Jennifer Nelson (Jess) of Tacoma, Wash.; and daughter Rebekah White of Poulsbo, Wash.; grandchildren Logan, Emme, Devon, Caeleb, Aoife, and Conal; brothers Terry (Diana), David (Kris), Don (Margaret) all of Port Townsend; sisters Cathy Louck (Larry) of Republic, Wash., Mary Jo Quandt (Tim) of Port Townsend; sister-in-law Lynn (James) of Mansfield, Texas; and numerous nieces and nephews.
The Logue family wishes to thank Dr. Kurt Norman (always the good cop); Mary Towns, ARNP; Dr. Farnush Abar; Dr. Matt Crowell; Brian Barger, ARNP; Dr. Chris Manik; the incredible staff at Jefferson Healthcare’s Oncology, Wound Care and Infusion Departments; the many nurses, CNAs and support staff at Jefferson Healthcare; the kind and the attentive Home Health and Hospice team; as well as East Jefferson EMTs and paramedics.
To so many of you for your prayers, thoughtful cards, words of encouragement, generous gifts and “porch” visits, you have our heartfelt thanks. In lieu of flowers, please honor our beloved Bob by enjoying a quiet walk in God’s magnificent creation, hanging a bird feeder for our feathered friends, or planting a garden full of beauty and promise.
A celebration of Bob’s life will take place next spring where all is fresh and green ... a time of new life. Be blessed!
