Hampton dies after battle with cancer

OTHELLO — With the Saturday death of Robert “Bob” Hampton, 63, Othello lost a former police sergeant, family member, friend and active community volunteer.

He died after a second battle with cancer.

“He was just a person that always cared about everybody in the city,” his wife Carla said.

She said he would always offer to help people.

“We had a lot of memories together,” said retired Othello Police Department Lt. Jerry Roth.

The pair worked together at the police department early on in their careers.

“Between us, we saw a lot of problems,” he said. “He was a very good man to have on your shoulder. He was very helpful in everything he did at the police department. That was what he liked to do.”

Bob served the police department more than 36 years.

He joined in 1972 and was promoted from officer to sergeant in 1976. In 1980 he was promoted to lieutenant.

During his retirement party last spring, he told the Columbia Basin Herald, his most memorable moment with the police department was getting hired as an officer but his greatest moment was being recognized at his retirement party. He said throughout his career all the positive parts of his job easily overshadowed the negative aspects he handled. He enjoyed extending a helping hand to those in need both on and off duty.

During the retirement party, there was a table showcasing many awards he earned throughout his career. He was Officer of the Year in 2006, but Bob said he most cared for an award given to him by the Paul Revere Masonic Lodge honoring him for his service to the city.

He said he was looking forward to restoring classic trucks and growing a bushy beard during his retirement.

More than 40 friends and family attended the party.

Carla said the community truly enjoyed Bob’s caring attitude and loved to eat his barbecue beans. She said their son suggested the recipe finally be released to everyone because so many people often ask for it and because it is a memorable way to remember Bob.

Bob grew up in the Crab Creek area and attended Othello High School. He graduated in 1964 and went on to study medicine at the University of Washington. He also went to school at Wenatchee Valley College. While attending school, he often came home on the weekends to help with the family farm.

Eventually he came back to Othello and was active with the Othello Rodeo Association. He helped establish the Miss Rodeo Washington pageant. He also helped construct the grandstands and other projects at the Adams County Fairgrounds.

He was a member of the Fraternal Order of the Eagles and the Bess Hampton Memorial Gardens Board.

Bob’s family suggests donations be sent to the American Cancer Society instead of sending flowers.

There will be two memorial visitations.

The first is from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. Friday at Scharbach’s Columbia Funeral Chapel, located at 300 G Street Southeast in Quincy.

The second is Saturday from 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. at the Nazarene Church of Othello Gathering Center, located at 905 East Ash St. Funeral services are at 11 a.m. with an interment at Bess Hampton Memorial Gardens afterward.