Robert Joseph Rose

Robert Joseph Rose (Bob) – Born December 19, 1936, in Stony Point, NY, died in Seattle, WA on May 5, 2026. Born to Joseph R. Rose and Dorothy Youmans. Survived by his sister, Sharon Rose, of the family home in Stony Point; his daughters Mary Rose Toal; Jennifer Arkills (Jim); and Elizabeth Rose Tuohy (Mike), all of the Seattle area; and six grandchildren (Kevin Toal, Kelly Toal, Brandon Baker, Anna Baker, Katherine Tuohy and Ryan Tuohy.)

Bob graduated from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in 1958. He was a member of Delta Phi fraternity. Following graduation, he married Helene Louise Fisher of Albany, NY, and the newlyweds embarked on a cross-country move to Seattle, where Bob had accepted a position with The Boeing Company. Settling in West Seattle, Bob and Helene raised their three daughters and enjoyed many Pacific Northwest camping adventures during the summers.

Ever independent and self-sufficient, Bob spent evenings and weekends in his basement workshop, often fixing things the kids broke. He also built furniture, updated much of our 1906-era home, and maintained and repaired his vehicles. He rarely saw the need to hire help.

He enjoyed fishing expeditions with friends over many years to HiHium Lake in British Columbia. Dad was in charge of the menu and shopping and undertook both with a precision akin to a military operation. No one would go hungry on his watch. He remained interested in hunting and fishing all of his days.

Bob spent his entire career at Boeing, where he was an engineering operations manager. Most of the years were spent in defense, based in Seattle, although he moved briefly to Philadelphia, where he worked for Boeing’s helicopters division. Being on the East Coast made it easier to spend precious time with his family in Stony Point.

In 1988, Bob and his second wife, Marlene, purchased a large rural property on the East Hill of Kent, WA. The property came with one horse, and it wasn’t long before Bob added to the herd. He thoroughly enjoyed his horses, pony, and a succession of dogs, all of which were very pampered and loved beyond measure. For many years he frequented livestock auctions, gun shows, and liquidators, gathering treasures along the way (often in multiples, if the price was right.)

As they do, one by one the pony, horses, and several dogs crossed the Rainbow Bridge. In 2022, Bob accepted an offer from King County to purchase the property in Kent. His property was added to a large swath of green space the County has put together, and it has since been planted with many hundreds of native plants. We hope one day it will be open to the public so the family can make new memories in Bob’s favorite place.

Once free from caring for his animals, Bob and his daughters were able to enjoy a weeklong cruise to Alaska, and a trip to Stony Point where the girls were treated to a tour of genealogically important cemeteries and enjoyed time with his sister.

Following the sale of the Kent homestead, Bob moved into a condo in West Seattle, which provided a wonderful view of Elliott Bay and made it easier for frequent visits and support from his daughters. He suffered a fall at home in December 2025, which resulted in a move to assisted living. At the assisted living facility, he enjoyed making new friends and being able to eat in the dining room and watch a football or baseball game with them.

An unexpected illness and more falls took him before we were ready to say goodbye. We are comforted knowing he is finally free of the confusion and pain that he experienced in the end, and that he passed surrounded by his girls.

There will be a private celebration of life, with interment in the fall at Mt. Rest Cemetery in Stony Point.

The family wishes to thank the staff of Harborview Medical Center for their professionalism and compassion. They helped make a terrible situation less so.

Memorial gifts may be sent to: Fieldstone Middle School STEM Program, c/o David Guerrieri, Fieldstone Middle School, 100 Fieldstone Drive, Thiells, NY 10984.

Please share memories, photos and condolences on the guestbook, located below. 

Arrangements Entrusted to Emmick Family Funeral Home of West Seattle