Robert, lovingly known as Bob, was born on May 4th, 1945 to Loyal Stewart Tribbey and Ruth Isabel Washburn in Seattle, Washington. After graduating from Ballard High School in 1964, Bob was drafted into the military and proudly served in the U.S. Navy as a jet engine mechanic aboard the USS Kitty Hawk. He was stationed in San Diego, Subic Bay and Hawaii, Bob saw beautiful people and places and also experienced the suffering and tragedy of the Vietnam War. (He would often wear his Vietnam Veteran hat, and - when thanked for his service - loved to say: "Don't thank me; thank the draft board!")
After serving his tour of duty, Bob became an iron worker and built bridges in Skagit County, Snohomish County, and Eastern Washington. Bob was also involved in the construction of the Safeco building in Seattle and the Kingdome.
In 1971, Bob met Cheryl Lynn Roberts who became his loving wife of nearly 53 years. Bob and Cheryl went on to have 2 daughters. In his lifetime, Bob was a jack of all trades. He worked on a dairy farm as a teenager, was an apprentice in a cabinet shop in Ballard (which kindled in him a lifelong love of woodworking), he worked as a diesel mechanic for Metro (now King County), authored the first Wrecker Manual for Metro, and went on to become a base chief, chief of maintenance, and chief of training.
In 2000, Bob retired to spend his time hunting, fishing (off-shore, fly and river), as well as camping with his family. He is the beloved grandfather of four grandchildren, whom he taught a love for preparedness, along with many practical skills. Bob was generous with his time and talents, gladly helping family, friends, and neighbors with their home improvement projects, and often designing the plans himself. A lifelong tinkerer, Bob was known to redesign and improve scores of items around the house and shop (jokingly called “Bob modifications” by his family). He was a man of deep honor and commitment, devoted to his family and friends.
Bob was preceded in death by his parents Loyal and Ruth, and his best friend, hunting and fishing partner, Robert "Bob" Brum.
He is survived by his wife Cheryl, daughters Heather (Ramón) and Lisa (Ian), granddaughters Faith, Trinity, Honor, and Madison, Sister Annie (Tom), nephew Mike and niece Suzan (George) and grand-niece Lydia.
A committal service for Robert will be held Friday, April 19, 2024 from 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM at Purdy & Walters at Floral Hills, 409 Filbert Road, Lynnwood, WA 98036.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.floralhillslynnwood.com for the Tribbey family.
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