Robert Edward Early Jr. Obituary (1937

Robert Edward Early February 13, 1937 – December 15, 2024 Robert Edward Early, Junior (‘Bob’ to all who knew him) passed away on December 15. He was born in Wapato, Washington, on February 13, 1937, to Robert and Nora. Bob’s dad was a barber so, as a boy, he would shine shoes at the family barber shop for nickels and dimes. From a young age, he understood the value of hard work, thrift and ambition. He was a high school athlete, student-body officer, Boy’s State representative, and became the first in his family to attend college (Washington State University, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in horticulture, ’59). At WSU, Bob forged life-long friendships as a member of Phi Delta Theta fraternity, and found the love of his life, Margaret Jo (Peggy) Severn, of Yakima; they married on August 23, 1958. Following service in the National Guard (six months active duty, five and a half reserve), Bob pursued a career in farming. He first honed his skills managing a cherry orchard in Zillah, and then developed his own farm of peaches and nascent apple trees—grown with sweat, science and plenty of prayer on the Roza Irrigation District—all while ‘moonlighting’ as a full-time employee at the Washington State University research center in Prosser (improving growing methods for asparagus and grapes—working with Dr. Walter Clore at the forefront of Washington’s wine industry). It was during these years that Bob and Peggy sprouted their own family tree with the birth of four sons. He finished out his professional career as field manager for Milne Fruit (later to become Ocean Spray) in Prosser, but never abandoned his desire for learning. Bob was a scientist at heart, a tinkerer by nature, and loved to read. He subscribed to numerous science-oriented periodicals and raised his family in a home that honored education and the importance of ‘trying.’ Conversationally, he could engage on almost any subject, having read about it in some way, shape or form. By example, he taught his boys that almost no project is beyond reach (fix your own appliances, re-shingle the roof, install a lawn sprinkling system, hang wallpaper, tile a floor, take the car apart and put it back together again—etc.!). Bob was proudly part of a generation that believed in civic involvement. He was a longtime member of Prosser’s Rotary Club (including past president) and a hands-on supporter of many local athletic endeavors for kids (such as the local summer swim team, winter ‘ski bus,’ and AAU track and field club). He was genuinely interested in the world and satisfied this curiosity, first and foremost, as an avid reader of ALL genres—but also as a journeyer, traveling with Peggy to five continents and extensively within the United States. Most of all, Bob understood that happiness is a choice and he chose to delight in life’s simple pleasures: someone to love, a delicious meal, a comfortable chair and a good book. He had a sweet-tooth and NEVER missed dessert—a sure sign of Christmas was Bob invading the kitchen to make his beloved peanut-brittle and almond-roca candy. He is survived by Peggy, his wife of 66 years, and four sons—Todd, Bill, Steve (Alice), and Jim (Teresa). He was a ‘granpa’ to eleven: Cameron, Lexi, Layne, Alice, Abby, Charles, Kathleen, Maddi, Tori-Rose, Alex and Andy (whom he met up with in heaven). He is also survived by his sister, Jeanine (Lee) Marey, brother-in-law, Ken (Sylvia) Severn, and preceded in death by two half-sisters, Tacoma and LaRue. There will be a celebration of his life at The Green Room (1226 Meade Ave, Prosser, WA) from 2:00-4:00 pm on Saturday, Jan. 4. Friends and family are invited to attend and share their memories of Bob and comfort for the family. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation in Bob's memory to the Andrew Early Guild at Seattle Children’s Hospital. The family wishes to thank the folks at Home Instead and Heartlinks Hospice for the excellent care Bob received in his final inning.