Robert Seiffert Washburn

Robert Seiffert Washburn was born in Chicago, Illinois on October 24,1931 to Gertrude Beiderbecke and William Day Washburn. He attended New Trier High School and graduated Cum Laude. He enrolled at Northwestern University and was a member of Sigma Chi fraternity and Phi Beta Kappa Honorary Society. He joined the US Air force and was in charge of government procurement contracts. He retired as a Captain.

He enrolled at the University of Wisconsin Law School and was a member of Beta Gamma Sigma Society and graduated with the Degree of Doctor of Law. He was very proud of the fact that he graduated a Valedictorian in all of his studies. He was a lifelong student and ardent reader. During his travels he would scour the different cities for newspapers. Many people have commented that they learned so much from Bob.

While at the University of Wisconsin he met his wife Suzanne Pritchard Washburn and they married on August 16,1958. In the next five years they had four children - - - Katharine Larson, Thomas Washburn, Polly Caddes and Sarah Fletcher. They began their life together in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Robert worked as a corporate lawyer for Whyte, Hirschboeck, Minahan, Harding & Harland. Three years later they moved to Coral Gables,Florida and he worked as the right hand man for Charles Kellstadt, head of Sears, Roebuck & Co.They left Coral Gables and moved to Indianapolis, Indiana and Robert worked for General Development Corporation and Boise Cascade. During this time he developed many recreational properties in California including parts of Incline Village, Pinto Lake, Auburn Lake Trails, Lake of the Pines, Lake Wild Wood, Monterey Dunes Colony and Waikoloa Village in Hawaii. Robert Trent Jones Jr. designed the golf course for many of Bob’s projects. Bob and Suzanne lived in Palo Alto CA for 35 years before moving to Laguna Beach CA.

After his career as a land developer he became an investment banker and helped to form Montgomery Securities in San Francisco. He retired at age 55 and traveled extensively, usually taking with him some or all of his family members. He enjoyed cruising particularly with the Regent Cruise Line.

He died peacefully in his own bed with his wife and family beside him shortly before his 91st birthday. He is survived by his wife of 64 years, 4 children, 7 grandsons, 2 granddaughters and several nieces and nephews. He was a true wordsmith- - - his giving of nicknames to everyone was legendary. He was always appropriately and elegantly dressed. He will be remembered for his strong character, his beautiful smile and his engaging sense of humor.

In lieu of flowers the family prefers donations to www.alzheimersresearchfoundation.com

A graveside service for Robert will be held Friday, October 7, 2022 at 11:00 AM at Pacific View Memorial Park, 3500 Pacific View Drive, Corona del Mar, California 92625.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.pacificviewcalifornia.com for the Washburn family.