Robert L. Waddell

Robert Lee “Bob” Waddell, 90, passed away peacefully on Saturday, October 10, 2026 at his Ellensburg home. His family will host a celebration of life at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, November 13, 2026 at the Ellensburg Presbyterian Church.

Bob was born on May 21, 1936 in Robbinsville, North Carolina to Tavy & Willie May (Moody) Waddell. He spent his early years in North Carolina before the family moved west when Bob was 10 years old - first to Kelso and then to Longview where Bob finished school and graduated from R.A. Long High School in 1956.

Following graduation, Bob moved to Seattle where he went to work for Boeing and reconnected with his high school classmate and friend Gloria King. They married on September 7, 1958 and welcomed their son, Jeff, to the family in June of 1959. The young couple moved to Twisp in the summer of 1959 where Bob went to work for Gloria’s father as a laborer and carpenter. He also worked alongside his brother, Junior Waddell, logging in the Longview area.

Following the birth of their second son, Jay, in 1961, Bob and Gloria had settled down in the Kirkland area where Bob spent most of his working career as a carpenter and general contractor. He built many homes over the years, many for himself, and had a meticulous eye for detail in everything that he did.

Following Gloria’s death in 1983, Bob met and later married Patricia (McCormick) Ronning in 1986. Bob was proud of gaining “three new kids” with his marriage to Pat - Craig, Matt & Katie. They built a new home in Redmond in the early 1990’s before moving to Ellensburg in 2015 and have resided here since that time.

Bob and Pat enjoyed camping and fishing with friends and family, hosting others in their home, playing cards, Farkle, etc. They loved having their kids and their family over. Bob coached and encouraged not only his sons, but his grandsons by birth and by marriage in all things handyman. He was generous with both his knowledge and his time with them.

They loved watching their grandkids in their activities and remained supportive throughout the years. Bob and Pat enjoyed four decades of loving their family together and that was Bob’s greatest and proudest accomplishment.

Bob was an avid hunter, skilled woodworker, draftsmen, fishermen and car buff. He fixed anything that broke. If he couldn’t find the part, he built it. He loved to design things and bring them to life.

Bob is survived by his wife, Pat; his children Jeff, Jay (Suzie), Craig (Teri), Matthew (Mary Anne), Kathleen (David); his grandchildren Tavi, David (Jamie), Ashley (Eric), Andrew (JennyRebecca), Katelyn (John), Jake, Tessa, Morgan, Delainey; as well as his great-grandkids Peyton, Graham, Matthias, Berit, Haaken, Ewan, Opal, River, Levi, and Silas.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Johnston & Williams of Ellensburg. Online condolences may be left for the family at www.johnston-williams.com