Robert (Bob) Fode

Robert (Bob) Fode died peacefully at home on Tuesday, February 23, 2010.

He was born on November 19, 1936 in Lind, WA to John and Emelia (Pflugrath) Fode. He attended Lind schools for 12 years. In high school he played football and was very active in Future Farmers of America winning numerous ribbons for his livestock at fairs and the Spokane Junior Livestock Show. He attended Washington State College (WSU) for two years where he met Melinda Dirks. They were married on September 9, 1956 and have lived in Moses Lake since. In 1964 they purchased a farm in Block 41 where they lived until selling in 1995 and building a shop and home at their present address. Bob has always worked, even while owning the farm, beginning at the sugar factory the first year of their marriage. He also worked for Shinn Irrigation and Boeing before going to work as a petroleum truck driver for Western Farmers Assn where he worked for 19 years. He then worked for the Chevron distributor as a petroleum truck driver until his retirement in March of 2000. The shop was built before the house on the lot because Bob had always enjoyed doing woodworking and he intended to have it set up and supplied before he would retire. After the house was built and moved into, Bob began doing some of his woodworking in earnest. After his retirement he kept improving and adding to his shop and getting more requests for woodworking from his children and grandchildren and even some neighbors. His shop was his pride next to his daughters and grandchildren. Many family members and some community members enjoy his finished projects. As the signs in his shop say “Wood is a Terrible Thing to Waste”. Bob is survived by his wife Melinda, his daughters Dianne Fode (Laird) of Portland, OR, Karen (Kelly) Hoff of Lynnwood, WA and Linda (Hans) Schmidt of Ephrata; five grandchildren, Christopher and Kelsy Lindblad of Lynnwood, WA and Martina, Chloe and Gabrielle Schmidt of Ephrata. Also surviving are two brothers, Ruben (Pat) of Lind, WA and Roy (Patty) of Moses Lake and two sisters, Ruth (Bob) Welch of Cheney, WA and Doris (Bob) Mynk of Frankston, Texas and numerous nephews and nieces. He was preceded in death by his parents and sister Carol Benzel. He will be greatly missed, especially for his jokes with his children and grandchildren. At his request there will be no services. A celebration of his life will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers tell a joke, plant corn in your garden or make something from wood; or donate to a charity of your choice. You may sign the guestbook or leave a note for the family at www.kayserschapel.com.