We've known Bob since graduate days at the U. of Michigan.While courting my sister, Kathy, he visited our home often, playing with the children, creating potent conversations with the adults, and always witty. Our lives would converge on family events like Kathy and Bob's lovely wedding in New Haven, Rich and Anne's wedding in Seattle, the Cannon Beach 50th anniversary for Kathy's parents, Charles and Shirley Cross, time with Rich and Anne in the N. Cascades (llamas, cousins, blueberries---), longer journeys to Seattle and the Cross family, short trips to St. Louis with Easter eggs, Zoo trips, family dinners, and, again, much laughter and conversation.
The arrivals of Jay, John, and Elizabeth brought the whole family much joy and excitement and Bob flourished too. His interest in and love of these children was easily seen as he spoke with them. Again, laughter and wit and understanding lit the room.
As a grandfather, Bob shone. His obvious affection and pride in Aaliyah and in Jocelyn can be seen in the photos. Once again, the Christmas tree, the trinkets, the stories arrived for Jay, John, and Elizabeth to experience again---this time in the company of their own children.
Bob's interest in everything encompassed history and literature, bird migration habits, and especially Japanese language, literature, art. Over the decades, Bob made delicate creations of miniature Japanese houses, beautiful Japanese paper covered boxes, re attached scrolls, turkey dinners! He drove hundreds of miles taking kids to lessons and practices and for his and Kathy's "job" of delivering papers. A busy man, that Bob
As Kathy's sister, I deeply thank him for the rich life they shared--as travelers, as explorers of cultures, as parents of 3 impressive children, and as a man, generous with his many talents. We will sorely miss him and we are thankful for all the good he did in his life and for the years we knew him. We know his legacy of curiosity, kindness, and family love persists.
Sincerely,
Ann Cross Edmonds and Pug Edmonds
