Robert Joseph Volke, Jr.

December 27, 1958 – April 17, 2016

Former Moses Lake resident Robert “Bob” Joseph Volke, Jr. passed away Sunday, April 17, 2016 at Legacy Good Samaritan Hospital in Portland, Ore., surrounded by loved ones. He was 57 years old.

Bob was born on December 2h, 1958 in Springfield, Mass. As a child, Bob’s imagination and creativity played a large part in his life – writing and illustrating his own comic books, plotting and acting out the “Adventures of Jack and Bill” with his older brother, exploring the world through music, writing, and reading.

Bob graduated in 1977 from Moses Lake High School in Washington, where he was active in theater and sports. Bob received a full scholarship to play football at the University of Idaho. Later, he enlisted, serving eight years in the US Air Force. After leaving the military, Bob settled in Portland. He was a self-taught musician and could be found busking at Portland’s Saturday Market, playing guitar and harmonica, singing Bob Dylan covers as well as his own compositions.

Always the creative type, Bob discovered painting later in life through art classes taught by Barbara Penn. Bob’s artistic proficiency quickly grew and he developed his own unique style. His paintings were occasionally whimsical, often haunting, always insightful.

A chance encounter with local art gallery owner Gary Lawrence soon had Bob’s newfound career as an artist taking flight. Bob was a featured artist at several downtown galleries, including the Steel Door Gallery and Gallery 903, and his story of discovering art was featured in the Oregonian. The courage that Bob displayed in becoming a successful artist at his age encouraged and influenced several burgeoning artists to share their work with the world.

Bob was a Pearl District icon and a fixture at the Starbucks on Northwest 11th and Lovejoy, where his art was often displayed. In fact, Bob was considered by many to be the unofficial mayor of the neighborhood. Intelligent, kind-hearted, quick with the one-liner or cutting remark, Bob was a caring son, a great brother, a loving uncle, and a friend to many.

Bob was preceded in death by his parents, Robert J. and Nancy M. Volke. He is survived by his sister Patricia Stribling, her husband Neil and their children Eric and Anne; his brother James Volke, his wife Gretta, and their children Jennifer, Lydia and Andrew; his brother David Volke, his wife Rebecca, and his children Deidra and David; his brother Richard Volke and his children Aiden and Meagan; his sister Susan McElmurry, her husband Douglas, and their children Griffin, Julienne and Ian; his sisters-in-law Diva Volke, Jill Volke and Cheri Volke; and his dearest friends Mary Sipe and Michael Adams.

In lieu of flowers or other offerings, Bob would want you to get to know local artists and help them flourish by purchasing their work, then sharing it with the world.

“Oh the tree of life is growing

Where the spirit never dies

And the bright light of salvation

Shines in dark and empty skies”

(Death Is Not The End - Bob Dylan)