Remembering Bob Porter
Bob died on Tuesday morning, March 12, 2024, at Harborview Hospital, Seattle, having recently turned 81. He lived at West Beach, Guemes Island, for about 65 years. In his early years of high school he opted to leave Seattle, in favor of Anacortes and Guemes; his way of skipping big city rat race.
He stayed with his maternal grandmother at his parents’ house at West Beach; and graduated from AHS in 1961. He was well liked. In school he was known for vast mechanical knowledge. He was among the early scuba divers in the Pacific Northwest.
Following graduation he mastered skills of airframe and powerplant maintenance, for various planes and helicopters. That came from his military service and specific training at Edison Technical in Seattle. Through the years he continually and regularly serviced aircraft.
He married Linda at West Beach in the late 1960’s. She died about 20 years ago.
Bob collected all sorts of tools and machinery. On Guemes he was counted on to be able to analyze and solve almost any kind of problem. It seemed like he knew about any contraption that ever came along. “I can fix anything but a broken heart,” said Bob.
In the early 1970s he was Fire Chief on the island. A bit later he could be seen high overhead, flying a 1950s helicopter that he had resurrected and completely rebuilt.
Bob was generous with his talents. He was a big part of why several local businesses were able to get back to speed quickly after equipment went afoul. He could get the job done and did.
Bob’s hobbies were his life. He enjoyed work. He was lucky to be extremely healthy until just before his end.
He left with not much remaining family. His many friends cried and then realized that Bob was no longer around to be a source of wisdom in order to get things done properly and quickly.
Bob was one of a kind.
Thank you Bob Porter.