Robert Charles McIver

It is with great emotion that Bob McIver’s family would like to announce his unexpected passing at home on the evening of October 11, 2018, at the age of 64. His family has recently celebrated his life in a private memorial service.

A tribute website for Bob is being built at bobmciver.com. His family would love for you to share your memories or photos of him if you are so inclined.

Robert Charles McIver was born in Pasadena, California, as the eighth of 14 children, and raised in San Diego. He attended St. Augustine High School and Gonzaga University, where he met his wife, Laura Richardson, played varsity basketball on an athletic scholarship (Bob liked to joke that he played for Gonzaga before they were any good), and graduated with a degree in business (he later earned a master’s degree in Guidance and Counseling from Pacific Lutheran University).

After college he and Laura came to Olympia, where they raised their family. Bob was a devoted, loving husband and companion for Laura, and a dedicated father, friend, and role model for his four children. He relished in his role as a new grandfather. He will be deeply missed.

Soon after he and Laura settled in Olympia, Bob decided to take on a few tasks in his spare time. So he cleared a piece of land and built his beautiful house and yard. Next he tackled building a huge barn, a half-acre fenced garden ample enough to supply fresh vegetables to most of his neighbors and friends, an adjoining fruit orchard, a condo-like chicken coop, a composting operation, and a pig house and pen. What is perhaps most remarkable about Bob’s industriousness is the fact that he had no prior experience doing any of the things he was undertaking. He read; he studied; he conscientiously sought advice; he learned as he undertook each task; and always, he simply persisted.

Bob worked for 34 years in the Tumwater School District, initially as a teacher at Tumwater High School, and for most of his career as a counselor at both Tumwater High School and Tumwater Middle School. He was highly respected in his professional career and was widely known as an attentive ear, a friendly force, and literally a life-changer for many of his students. He also devoted countless hours – hours that he cherished – coaching more than a thousand kids (including his own) with skill and patience. Perhaps most notably among his coaching peers, Bob always mentored his players with understanding and respect regarding their individual developmental levels.

Bob was a man of conscience and integrity. He demonstrated time and again his selflessness, generosity, and willingness to help. Something broken? Bob volunteered to repair it. Something needed? Bob probably had it in his barn (he kept everything and seemed to actually know where it all was stored) or would suggest someone he knew to talk to. It seems that Bob’s kind, gregarious personality enabled him to befriend everyone who met him – his colleagues, casual acquaintances, complete strangers, and the neighbors along his daily walk route.

Bob was devoted to his family and to spending time with them doing things they enjoyed. They went hiking, fishing, crabbing and shrimping. They traveled, camped, beer tasted, played tennis, golf, pickle ball, and beach games. Always together. He loved to drive and operate his small tractor (while intentionally wearing the ugliest, most tattered and filthy work clothes and hats imaginable), and he would offer his tractor services to anyone who needed help. He was an undeniable favorite among the extended family’s grandchildren and neighbor kids. They would hear his tractor coming and run out of the house to see him. He delighted in sharing his tractor seat, apples, vegetables, laughs and stories, and many a life lesson with them. They all loved Bob.

He is survived by his wife of 41 years, Laura; his children, Bobby, Matt (Anna) and baby McIver due in December, Michael, and Caitlin Bertsch (McLayne) and granddaughter, Jane.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Henry and Regina, his sister, Regina, and his brothers, Danny, Terry (Kathleen), and Tim. He is survived by his brothers and sisters, Mary Stephens (Tom), Kathy Bartonicek (Ivan), Kevin (Renee), Maureen Bischak (Gregory), Patricia Wolfe (Rick), Anne Pelikan (Michael), Susan, Patrick, and Liz Bodle (Tristan).

He will continue to be loved by the Richardson family, including his mother-in-law, Jane, and brothers-and sisters-in-law, Jim Richardson (Amy), Bill Richardson (Richenda), Mary Evoy (Kevin), Jack Richardson (Carol), Liz Hayden (John), Tom Richardson (Floret), and Tim Richardson (Carol), and by the numerous nieces, nephews, their spouses, and children of both the McIver and Richardson sides of the family.