Robert Eugene Norton

Robert Eugene Norton "Bob" passed away at his home in Vancouver, Washington on May 16, 2018. He was born in Oakland, California on August 30, 1945 to Emmet and Elizabeth Norton. The family moved from California to Alaska when Bob was 2 years old. He was raised in Juneau, and spent his childhood living many adventures in the wilderness of Alaska with his younger brother, Rex, and his many friends. In his late teen years he spent summers working in his father's logging camps. This is where he was first introduced to working on heavy equipment. Bob enlisted in the Alaska Army National Guard Reserve and trained as a Combat Engineer. He served from October, 1962 through October, 1966 and was stationed at Fort Richardson in Anchorage, Alaska, where he operated heavy equipment clearing roads of snow and building landing areas for helicopters. After his time in the military, Bob worked on the Alaska Marine Highway System on the Wikersham Ferry.

It was during the time he worked for the Ferry system that he met Beva Louise Beck on a blind date. On May 9, 1970 they were married and shortly thereafter started their family. Bob and Beva were married for 20 years and had 2 children, Lucas R. Norton and Karen K. Norton (Boutwell). They moved the family to Washington in the early 70s. Bob worked for a construction company for a couple of years before finding his "home away from home" working for the Washington Department of Natural Resources. He operated excavators, heavy lift cranes, road graders and dozers for nearly 30 years for the DNR and then retired in 2008. In 1991, Bob met Bea Hicks through mutual friends and they have been together for 27 years. Since his retirement, he and Bea have enjoyed traveling to see the natural beauty preserved in many of the country's national parks. In recent years they have spent their winters at their home in Arizona.

In his lifetime Bob was first and foremost a great dad, partner and devoted friend. He was also an ardent fisherman, a talented cook, an avid reader, and enjoyed life to the fullest. He spent many of the summers of his life in Alaska fishing and spending quality time with his younger brother, Rex, his step-brother, Paul, and his father and step-mother when they were alive. Bob had an incredible memory and a huge heart and found friends everywhere he traveled. There is, and always will be, a significant void in our lives without him and he is terribly missed.

He is preceded in death by his father, mother and step-mother. He is survived by his partner, Bea Hicks; his son Lucas Norton (Erin Sauvola) and their soon-to-be born son; his daughter Karen Boutwell(Ron); his brother Rex Norton(Carol); nephew Tony Norton; step-brother Paul Thompson (Mary); nephew Jeff Thompson; niece Katherine Thompson; ex-wife Beva Norton; and step-children Glenn Rebsch (Wenying); Robin Rebsch (Jenny); and Carey Rebsch. He was "Grandpa Bob" to 8 step-grandchildren and 14 great step-grandchildren.

A Celebration of Life potluck will be held at 12 Noon on Sunday, July 22, 2018 at the Riverview North Picnic Shelter at Frenchman's Bar Regional Park. All of Bob's friends are invited to attend to share your fun stories, memories and your favorite food dish. Please post your favorite photos of Bob on his Facebook page and "tag" his daughter, Karen Boutwell, on each photo. We look forward to sharing our memories with you.