Robert B. Linehan, born March 26, 1918, passed away Sept. 19, 2009.

Bob was the youngest child born in Hankinson, N.D. to Francis (Frank) and Augusta Linehan.

After Frank’s death, Augusta moved her family to San Diego, Calif., and then Seattle. Bob grew up mainly in the Rainier Valley of Seattle, graduating from Franklin High School.

Bob had an adventurous boyhood. He spoke of raising homing pigeons, having a pet crow, riding rail cars to Yakima, catching salmon in Lake Washington and playing baseball with Fred Hutchinson.

Bob met Alice Niese when they were at Firlands. They married on Nov. 21, 1942.

Bob and Alice moved to Portland, where Bob and his brother George ran a barber college.

Moving back to Seattle, Bob opened his barber shop on Rainier Avenue, in Hillman City. Bob and Alice lived two blocks away from the barber shop, and raised their two children (Bruce and Charlotte) in the Rainier Valley; both also graduated from Franklin High School.

In 1969, Bob and Alice sold their home and the barber shop in Seattle, and moved to their summer home in Clinton on Whidbey Island.

Bob found a second career at Metro, as a wastewater treatment plant operator. He retired from Metro in 1984.

Bob and Alice were always active volunteers in their community. Bob was a Scout leader, a member of the IOOF, Deer Lagoon Grange 846, and the Holmes Harbor Rod & Gun Club. He served as a port commissioner for South Whidbey for six years.

Bob lost Alice in October of 1989. He sold his home on Columbia Beach and moved to Portland.

In Portland, Bob met the lovely Lois Hensel. He and Lois shared many wonderful years together. They traveled and officially became “snowbirds” when they bought a condo in Florence, Ariz. Always an avid reader and explorer, Bob enjoyed the Native American culture of the Southwest.

As health issues became more of a concern, Bob decided to move back to Whidbey Island and make a home on the Deer Lake property. He and Lois spoke on the phone every day. Bob was very proud to have known and been a part of Lois’ family.

Bob will always be remembered for his steady, calm, gentlemanly manner, his amazing capabilities and his seemingly endless supply of barber shop jokes. He will be sorely missed by the family and friends he leaves behind; but he will be greeted with open arms by those that preceded him to the afterlife. Bob’s life spirit continues through his children, his five grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren and his first great-great grandson.

There will be a remembrance open house for Bob from 1 to 5 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 17 at 6615 Mapleleaf Drive in Clinton.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests you make a donation to your favorite charity. Friends and family may also view the online obituary, sign and leave messages at www.visserfuneralhome.com.