Robert Shank

Robert Philip “Bob” Shank, 98, of Ardenvoir, WA, peacefully passed away at home on February 16, 2019. He was born to Robert Shank and Audra (Shank) Easley in Ione, WA on February 16, 1921. He moved to Ardenvoir in 1940 and in August of 1946 married the love of his life, Wanita Morene Stanaway. Bob was a World War II veteran who joined the Navy in 1944 and served in the Pacific Theater as a Navy CB, building roads and airstrips on many Pacific islands. He returned to Ardenvoir after the war, working in the logging industry and fighting forest fires. He thoroughly enjoyed working as a heavy equipment operator, building hundreds of miles of logging roads in the Wenatchee and Okanogan National Forests. There was hardly a logging road in the “valley” that he couldn’t say, “I helped build that road,” and then would tell some funny stories detailing his or one of his coworker’s ordeals. He finished his working career with the Chelan County Road Department, keeping the county roads in tip-top condition. Where other families went on driving trips, he loved to take his family on extended horse pack vacations in the backcountry surrounding the Entiat Valley. He worked in the woods and vacationed in the woods. He was a true outdoorsman. He was very musical and especially enjoyed playing his guitar with his brothers, his son Bob, his grandchildren, and many friends. For years Bob, Les, and Dick played at many dances, community functions, and celebrations in and around the Entiat area. Bob is survived by his wife of 72 years, Wanita; son, Bob (Nancy), grandchildren Amy, Becky, and Emily; son, Ken (Bobbie), grandchildren Chad and Lindsey; daughter, Kathleen (Larry), grandchildren Pam (Lee), Jeremy (Tova), Laura (Ryan), 6 great grandchildren, and 2 great-great grandchildren; brothers, Les (Charlene), Dick (Louise), Ken (Bonnie); sisters, Ginger, Gloria, Lucille, and Dorothy. Bob was preceded in death by his parents, brothers Chuck, Lonnie, and Wesley, and sister Helen. A graveside service will be held at the Entiat Valley Cemetery on Saturday, April 13, 2019 at 1:00 PM, followed immediately by a celebration of life at the Entiat Grange Hall, Entiat, WA. Jones and Jones – Betts Funeral Home is handling services. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, please donate to the charity of your choice.

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Robert Shank

February 16, 1921 - February 16, 2019