Robert GUFFIN Obituary (2022) – Portland, OR

Robert ‘Bob’ Guffin passed away peacefully on Sunday, Feb. 27, 2022, in Spokane, WA. Bob was born in Spokane to Theodore ‘Ted’ Guffin and Margaret Hern Guffin.

After the divorce of his parents in his early teens, Bob moved from school to school while his dad looked for work. He played baseball in high school and was very proud of his one and only “no-hitter”. He graduated from West Valley High School in Spokane in 1945. He enlisted in the US Navy in May of 1945 so he didn’t get to attend his graduation in June. He was stationed in the Philippines, and World War II ended shortly thereafter. He returned home in August of 1946 to find that his dad and stepmother (Dorothy McCray Guffin) were living next door to the family of the woman who would become the love of his life. Bob and Dorothy Blessing were married two years later on April 17, 1948, at St. Ann’s Catholic Church in Spokane.

Shortly after returning from the Philippines, Bob got a job working for the Spokesman-Review newspaper and continued working there until he retired in 1987. During that time, Bob and Dorothy had five children, two girls, and three boys. Vacations were usually camping trips in the Northwest and Western Canada. Often those campgrounds were reached via unimproved roads, but Bob wasn’t to be denied! His Chevy Greenbriar van traveled over rocks and holes, uphill and down. At times the family was unsure if the van could make it, but it always did-needed the family to get out of the car and push it uphill only once! Bob loved the views and a good hike out camping and stories around the campfire at night while everyone had s’mores.

Bob was active in his church (St. Charles Catholic Church) while his children were in school. In the late 70’s he and the family moved to Peone Prairie and then later to Spokane Valley where they joined St. Mary’s Catholic Church.

Bob took an active interest in his children’s activities, going to father-daughter dances, pee-wee baseball games, football games, and helping at numerous school carnivals. He made friends easily and brought a smile to everyone’s face due to his sense of humor and his ability to make people laugh. Even after two broken hips and being diagnosed with kidney cancer, he continued to amuse others with his numerous jokes (camel jokes were his most recent favorites) and witty quips. For Bob, any aches and pains, broken bones, or discomfort of any kind were all “part of the process”.

Bob is survived by Dorothy, his wife of just short of 74 years; his five children, Linda Reedy (Dick) of Portland, OR, Kathleen Tillman of Coeur d’Alene, ID, Dave Guffin (Shannon) of Post Falls, ID, Rob Guffin (Lindi) of Toronto, Canada, and Paul Guffin (Karen ) of Usk, WA; his sister, Karol Maier (Bill) of Vancouver, WA, his brother Ron Guffin (Beverly) of Queensland, AUS; nine grandchildren, thirteen great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandchild due in July, as well as several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and stepmother and his brother, William.

A service has been held. The family wishes to express our deep appreciation to Hospice of Spokane for the care given to Bob and his family for the last 19 months of his life. Donations in Bob’s memory may be given to hospiceofspokane.org or your favorite charity.

Love you always! Remember you forever!

Published by Spokesman-Review on Mar. 27, 2022.