Dr. Robert Russell Rath

Dr. Robert Russell Rath entered this world in Topeka, Kansas on May 11, 1928, the younger of two children to Robert S. and Alice Elizabeth Rath. At the age of four his family moved to Moclips, Washington, where he grew up and graduated from Moclips High School in 1945. In 1949 he graduated from Washington State University with a degree in General Science, married his first wife Betty and began teaching fifth grade in Sunnyside, Washington. By 1952 he had earned his Master’s degree from WSU and celebrated the birth of his first son, Rob. Moving to Lake Oswego, Oregon, he taught school at Lake Grove and for a few years was Principal at Lakewood and Forrest Hills. The year 1954 brought the birth of his second son Brett, and in 1956 his third son Clifton was born. Resigning his position in Lake Oswego, Bob took his family to Eugene, Oregon to pursue a Doctorate of Education at the University of Oregon. In 1966, after serving on the faculty at the University of Alberta, Canada, Bob a strong proponent of educational reform, was a key figure in the establishment of the Northwest Regional Education Laboratory (NWREL), a non-profit organization working closely with schools, districts and other agencies to develop creative and practical solutions to important educational challenges. In the early 1970’s his family life was sadly disrupted by the death of his wife Betty. Persevering, however, Bob and NWREL were instrumental in creating educational systems in Alaska, Montana, Hawaii, Guam, Yap, Palau and many others places. From 1980 to his retirement in 1995, Bob served as Executive Director of NWREL. To quote the late U.S. Senator Mark O. Hatfield, “Bob, your commitment not only to education, but to people, has distinguished you without equal in the educational community.”

In 1985 Bob met Melva Porter Jones, and after 71/2 years of dating they married in 1993. After retiring in 1995, they enjoyed another 19 years of traveling and adventures across the globe. Bob said of their life together: “Never a dull or unhappy moment.”

An athlete to the end, Bob always traveled with his tennis racquet. He had a passion for cooking and dining and loved travel, family mushroom hunting expeditions and photography, and was always ready (Opponent beware!) for a game of cribbage.

After being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer this past spring, Bob passed peacefully in his home on September 11, 2014. He is survived by his wife Melva P. Rath, his sister Marjorie Whitaker, 3 sons, a stepdaughter, 2 stepsons, 12 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held at Portland Community College, Sylvania Campus in the Performing Arts Center on October 11, 2014 at 2:00 PM. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Bob’s memory to www.feedthechildren.org.