Saturday, June 30, 2007

Dad.

January 27, 1920- June 24, 2007

Robert Terrill Corliss was born at home to Robert E. and Marion M Corliss in Orting, Washington during a snowstorm on January 27, 1920. He went home to be with his Lord and Savior after a brief but courageous battle with pancreatic cancer on Sunday afternoon, June 24, 2007.

He graduated from Sumner High School in 1937 and spent two years at the College of Puget Sound before taking charge of the Corliss Grocery and Cold Storage after his father’s death in 1940. He moved to Seattle in 1941 to work for the Boeing Company as a pattern maker. In 1944 he entered the U.S. Navy and served as an Aviation Storekeeper in San Diego. After receiving an Honorable Discharge from the Navy, Bob returned to Seattle in 1946 and worked as a cabinet maker for two years before beginning his 30 year career with Seattle City Light. He was especially proud of his work on the lighting design of the Japanese Garden at the Washington Park Arboretum and the “KiloWatt” conservation program before his retirement in 1978. Bob worked for several more years in Arizona conducting energy audits, finally retiring in 1985.

His interests included building houses, watching a good horse race, working around the house on repair projects, playing golf and tennis, discussing his faith, having a good political discussion and spending time with his family. He leaves behind his wife Genevieve, his son, Mark (Sharon), three grandchildren, Danny, Josh and Lizzie, his daughter and best friend Bonita and her partner Pamela. He also leaves his sister Josephine and her husband Leonard, his brother John and his wife Pat, his sister-in-law Shirley as well as numerous nieces and nephews. Bob was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Joe.

His family will miss his patient and loving presence and wonderful sense of humor. As he said at the end of his life “No one has ever come back complaining”!

Special gratitude goes to Lynn Kefgen, RN, Gwendolyn Roush, MSW, and Kate O'Sulllivan, Chaplain, all of the Shoreline Care Team and all the members of the Tahoma Care Team of Providence Hospice of Seattle. The family would also like to express their thanks to the staff at Anderson House and Park West Skilled Nursing Center.

A memorial service will be held at Alki United Congregational Church of Christ, 6115 SW Hinds St. in Seattle, WA on July 14, 2007 at 1:00 p.m.

Forest Lawn Cemetery is handling arrangements for the family.