Robert Lee Whareham

ROBERT "BOB" WHAREHAM December 31, 1947 ~ May 9, 2011 Robert Lee "Bob" Whareham was born in the town of Longview, Washington on December 31 of 1947. The oldest son of parents Curtis (Buster) and Florence (Wanda) Whareham, he attended St. Helens Elementary, Monticello Junior High, and R.A. Long High School, where he lettered as both a football player and member of the track team. While attending Central Washington University, he would eventually meet the love of his life, Verdella Peterson of Stanwood, WA. Voted "Cutest Couple" by fellow students, Bob and Verdella were married following graduation on August 22 of 1970, commencing over 40 years of a shared life between two partners, best friends, and soul mates. Armed with a Bachelor in Economics, and later a graduate degree in finance from the School of Pacific Coast Banking School, Bob began what would be a very successful 39-year career as a banking executive. Following his first job as a management trainee for the largest banking institution in the region - First National Bank - (later to be First Interstate and then Wells Fargo), he quickly moved up the ranks. Named a bank store manager in 1984, Bob was promoted to Community Banking district manager for all of SE Portland a short 5 years later, taking over that position in 1989. He later served as Clark County District manager, and was named Community Bank President in 2006. Tapped to head the Oregon Region's Customer Experience in April 2009, Bob would eventually retire in October of 2010. Other titles and roles he held throughout his life and career included 'Sergeant' during a four year enlistment in the Army National Guard, Founding Member of The Hawthorn Business Association in Portland, OR, Southwest Washington Forward Thrust (SWIFT) board member, member of Royal Oaks Country Club, supporter of Legacy Salmon Creek Hospital Foundation, and President of the Clark County Heart Association. Beyond all of these successes in life however, Bob would say the titles he was most proud of, and unquestionably put his entire heart into, were his role as both "Husband" and "Dad." The proud father of two successful, beautiful, kind-hearted daughters, Terra and Lynsey, he did an amazing job of passing on and instilling in them the best parts of who he was. While he did enjoy water skiing, snow skiing, scuba diving, and barbequing at his family cabin on Lake Merwin, he was a generous soul who was truly happiest when his family and friends were enjoying those things with him. This legacy will surely be passed on to his grandchildren, Flora and Steele, as they're told stories of 'Papa Bob', and his never waning positive approach to life that was simply second to none. He is survived by his wife, Verdella; sister, Sue; daughters, Terra (Zach) and Lynsey; and grandchildren, Flora and Steele. In keeping with who Bob was, and his constant ability to produce a smile among those around him, a private "celebration" of his life will be held in Vancouver. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to The Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation, 811 W Evergreen Ave., Suite 203, Chicago, IL 60642 or Salmon Creek Legacy Hospital Foundation, 2211 NE 139th Street, Vancouver, WA 98686.

Robert Lee Whareham

December 31, 1947 - May 9, 2011