Robert Edwin Gray

peacefully left this earth the evening of Thursday, December 17th surrounded by his family. He was born November 15, 1928 in Seattle, Washington to Spencer and Beatrice (Wright) Gray and spent the majority of his life in the Seattle area.Growing up on Capitol Hill, his childhood was filled with adventure. Upon graduating from Garfield High School, he attended the University of Washington and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology. With a college diploma in hand, he enlisted in the Navy, and served as a lieutenant on the aircraft carriers USS Kearsarge and USS Shangri-La during the Korean War.After leaving the Navy, Bob began his career in human resources at Boeing. It was during his time at Boeing that Bob met the love of his life, Mary Ann Burnett. They were married on July 18, 1959 and raised five children in Normandy Park.Bob's career led him to West Coast Telephone and Simpson Lee Paper in Everett. As the paper mill closed, with four kids under the age of nine and another on the way, Bob took a chance on a small regional airline, and became the personnel manager for Alaska Airlines. The gamble paid off with a long and satisfying career, achieving the title of Senior Vice President of Industrial Relations. Bob was an integral part of the team that grew the airline from a fledgling regional carrier with one jet to the internationally respected industry leader that it is today.Bob had a full and happy life. He travelled the world, loved a good glass of wine, and had a weakness for exotic sports cars. He was a lifelong Husky, and it is doubtful that anyone has watched more Seahawk or Mariner games. Bob was his happiest while sitting in the middle of the chaos of a Gray family get-together in Seattle, Bainbridge Island or Oahu.His parents, and his grandson, Thomas, preceded him in death. He is survived by Mary Ann, his wife of fifty-six years, his sister, Marjorie (Gray) Hadden of Seattle, and his children: Patricia (Rory) of Bainbridge Island, Robert (Sandra) of Seattle, Marilyn (John) of Bainbridge Island, Kathryn (Arnie) of Sammamish and John (Kari) of Bainbridge Island, and ten grandchildren.Bob was our rock and he will be dearly missed.The family held a private memorial on Bainbridge Island. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Northwest Harvest.