Robert M. Trask, Sr. "Bob"

Robert M. Trask, Sr. “Bob” went to be with the Lord, April 7, 2010. He was born September 8, 1920 to Raymond H and Alice (Bauer) Trask in Boise, Idaho. Bob grew up in Boise and Reno, Nevada, graduating from Boise High School in 1940. Bob joined the United States Army in 1942. He served in the 14th & 16th Armored Divisions, Paratroopers and several Ordinance companies; he saw active combat in the Rhineland during World War II. Bob was discharged as a Staff Sergeant in 1946 from Fort Bliss, El Paso, Texas.

While stationed at Fort Bliss, Bob met and later married his “Yellow Rose.” Dorothy Jean Hutcheson. Married in 1946, Bob and Dorothy headed north to the Columbia Basin. Bob heard there were great opportunities in the Basin with the irrigation water coming to the area. In late 1946, Bob and Dorothy with the help of brother Skeet, built the Basin Motel at the current site of the Safeway self-serve gas. In 1948, Bob started the Trask Motor Company, selling Pontiac and Cadillac Automobiles. The dealership was sold in 1957. Bob spent several years in construction as a heavy equipment operator, a job he learned in Boise, Idaho while working for Morrison Knutson Company prior to his Army service. Bob tried his hand at insurance in 1960. He later formed the Robert M. Trask Insurance Agency, now owned and operated by Bob Jr.

Bob believed in community involvement. He was President of the Chamber of Commerce in 1948, on the Moses Lake School Board from 1955 to 1960, appointed to the First Library Board. He was a helping founder of United Givers (United Way), he also had been active in The Elks Lodge, Lions, Masons and Eastern Star. Bob was also a Dad Advisor for Rainbow Girls and DeMolay for Boys. He was a founding Charter member of the Moses Lake Golf & Country Club. Bob always thought his greatest achievement was assisting with the admission of hundreds of children to the Shriners Hospital. Bob loved kids and all people young at heart.

Bob is survived by his daughter, Terry (Jeff) Skeesick, her family Todd (Lisa) Skeesick and Tracie (Roberto) Farias; his son Bob Jr. (Kristy) Trask, his family Ben (Mellena) Trask, Becky Trask, Stephanie Decker and Rob (Chantel) Decker and 6 great-grand children.

Bob was preceded in death by his father Raymond H. Trask and Mother Alice Trask, his loving wife of 47 years, Dorothy, and his brothers Ray and Farrel “Skeet”.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Shriners Hospital, 911 W 5th Ave, Spokane, WA 99204 or online at www.shrinershg.org.

Funeral services will be held at the First Presbyterian Church, 1142 W Ivy St. at 11:00 AM on April 17, 2010. Arrangements are in care of Kayser’s Chapel & Crematory. Please sign the online guestbook or leave a note for the family at www.kayserschapel.com