Obituary of Bob Randall

Robert Lee Randall

September 19, 1959 – August 18, 2019

A Man Whose Genuine Concern For Others Exceeded His Concern For Himself.

 

The world lost a true gentleman when Robert (“Bob”) L. Randall passed away peacefully, at the young age of 59, on Sunday, August 18th, at St. Francis Hospital in Federal Way, WA.  After battling several medical issues over the last few years, Bob ultimately succumbed to diabetes-related kidney and liver failure.  He spent his last few days surrounded by those who loved him. 

Bob entered this world in Seattle, WA in September, 1959.  He and his younger brother, James (“Jim”) M. Randall, grew up in Shoreline, a Seattle suburb, with their parents, Ray R. Randall Jr. and Joy LeCount Randall.  As a child, Bob’s life centered around sports, primarily baseball, football, basketball, and golf.  His passion, however, was baseball, and after attending summer baseball camps each year and being tutored by a talented coach, he became an outstanding first baseman and dominant power hitter.  He played baseball and football for Shoreline High School, and after he graduated he was invited to tryout with the New York Yankees.  Bob opted, instead, to follow in his father’s footsteps and attend Seattle University in pursuit of a business degree. 

While in college, Bob worked for his father, a mortgage bank executive, by taking pictures of houses for local real estate listings.  Bob idolized his father, as he saw first-hand how his dad enjoyed life, especially spending time with family and friends, and how his dad’s gentle nature, sense of humor, integrity and wit won the affection and respect of those around him.  People who knew Bob would tell you that he carried on those traits as well. Bob also enjoyed spending countless nights with his mother at the Fraternal Order of Eagles bar playing games and hanging out getting to know the people who took care of his mother when he was not there.

In 1982, Bob was blessed with a son, Jeremy Randall.  Bob obtained sole custody of Jeremy the following year, and the two moved to Edmonds, WA, north of Seattle, and then back to Shoreline a few years later.  Jeremy provided meaning to his father’s life, and Bob cherished the time the two spent together.  When Jeremy played Little League, Bob coached his teams; when Jeremy joined Scouts, Bob became the troop’s scout master.  Father and son were inseparable, especially near the end, when the two lived together in Bob’s house in Everett, where every day Jeremy and “the boys,” their two beloved Labrador Retrievers, helped Bob deal with his medical issues.

Bob worked for the Washington State Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) nearly his entire adult life.  He enjoyed helping those in need.  His true calling, however, was teaching, so it was no surprise when he was promoted to Program Manager/Regional Trainer, where he was responsible for developing training curriculums and educating employees on DSHS policies and programs.  He loved training his co-workers and often worked late into the night, creating training materials that were refreshing, relatable, and incorporated his wit and sense of humor.  Bob’s ability to make learning fun led to many friendships, one of the aspects of his job that he enjoyed most. 

Bob used to dream about retirement and spending his later years like his father—golfing, fishing, crabbing, spending time with family/friends, and hunting waterfowl in Eastern Washington with Jeremy and “the boys.”  Yet, Bob never did retire; his desire to teach was just too great.  Even near the end of his life, when his body was failing him, he constantly mentioned how much he was looking forward to returning to work.      

Bob was preceded in death by his parents, Ray and Joy, and his two aunts, Charlotte L. Walker (Randall) and Leota Batie (Randall).

Bob is survived by his son, Jeremy, his brother, Jim and his wife Ramona, his two nephews, Ray and Braun, and his niece, Rachelle.

There will be an event to celebrate Bob’s life in the coming weeks.  Details of the event will be published on Gatheringus.com/memorial/Robert-lee-randall/1410 and on his Facebook page. Please post your favorite “Bob” stories and pictures

In lieu of flowers, please make charitable donations on Bob’s behalf to the American Diabetes Association.

 

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