Robert Michael (Mike)

Robert Michael (Mike) Corbley was born on Jan. 2, 1942, in Minneapolis, Minn., and died peacefully at his home in Freeland, Wash., the morning of March 3, 2014.

Mike grew up in the Burien area, graduating from Highline High School. He worked in the printing industry in the Seattle area for many years before moving to Whidbey Island.

He enjoyed playing golf, pool and card games. However, his passion was gold mining on government-leased property in the Cascades near the Town of Liberty for over 40 years. After years of hard work digging tunnels, maintaining the processing plant and associated equipment required to find the elusive gold, he and his partners hit it big finding two large nuggets which together weighed 29 ounces.

Having traveled extensively to consult on possible mining sites, Mike described the nuggets as world-class quality. The mine is now known as “Mike’s Potato Patch.”

A video depicting the mining team’s celebration of their incredible find is available on YouTube.

His parents Rosalie (Corbley) Foster, Charles Corbley and sister Jean ButlerCooke preceded him in death. Among the myriad of friends and acquaintances, he is survived by stepfather Roy Foster, brothers Mark and Steve Corbley, sister and brother-in-law Joanne and David Price, daughter Caitlin, as well as several nieces and nephews.

A celebration of Mike’s life will be held 2-5 p.m. Sunday, April 6, at the China City restaurant in Freeland, Wash.