Robert Page Croft

Robert Page Croft was born in Walla Walla on March 31, 1959,
to Stewart Page Croft and Vivian Arline (Meier) Croft. Bob
grew up in Walla Walla, attending local schools and graduating
from Walla Walla High School in 1978. He worked at
the family business, Croft's Flowers, but really enjoyed
working with grandpa Croft in the greenhouse
on Alder Street. After high school, he went to Arizona
and attended the Phoenix Institute of Technology, receiving
his degree in 1980. His first job after this was
for Schwerin’s dry land wheat farm and chrome concave
shop. In 1984, he started work for AgriNorthwest,
where he was promoted to shop manager tech,
overseeing farm machinery, “everything with an
engine”. In 1997, he went to work for Complete Fertilizer
and Chemical, which was later purchased by
the McGregor Company. As operations manager with
McGregor in the Eltopia/Milton-Freewater group,
he worked with tireless dedication and quiet competence,
inspiring a great affection from his co-workers.
Bob received special recognition from McGregor in
2009, with an award for outstanding service, superior
performance, enthusiasm and ability. He was greatly
admired by all he met. Many of his customers considered
him a friend, and he never minded delivering
something they needed “on his way home” (even if it
added an hour or two to his day). He loved his work
and the people he worked with at McGregor and only
his illness forced him to stop work.
In 1982, he was blessed by the arrival of his daughter
Morgan Croft. In 1986, he married his best friend
and the love of his life, Kim Knox Croft. With Kim
came son Jason, and they made a beautiful blended
family. Bob and Kim had numerous adventures, most
involving fishing and family camping trips. They always
had fun together, making the best of every situation.
Bobby was an avid fisherman, enjoying annual
trips to Alaska for salmon and halibut. There were
also frequent trips to Mexico where he had a great
time catching bass. The whole family made annual
trips to Orofino to float the Clearwater and fish for
bass. Everyone coveted an invitation to Bobby’s fish
fry (and no, he doesn’t give out his secret recipe). Bob
enjoyed hunting elk and deer with his guys in the
Winaha Wilderness. Elk camp was a ritual he thoroughly
enjoyed, even going the last two years during
his fight with cancer. But Bobby especially loved family
time. Cooking for friends and family brought him
great joy. He loved to work in his yard and extensive
garden and appreciated the value of getting dirty and
sweaty. He maintained a garden since he was a teenager,
often giving away more produce than he kept.
He is survived by his beloved wife, Kim Croft; son,
Jason Langley of West Richland; daughter, Morgan
and Mike Calvillo; grandchildren, Andrew, Juliette,
Autmn, and Krysta Calvillo of San Bernadino, Calif.;
mother, Vivian Croft of Walla Walla; sisters, JaraDee
and Loren Forney of Vancouver, Wash., and JanaLee
and Dave Saager of Milton-Freewater; brother, David
and Glenda Croft of Walla Walla; numerous beloved
nieces and nephews. Also missing Bobby are Kim’s
family, JoAnne and Terry McKern, Dean Knox, Kevin
and Lisa Knox, and Gina and Marty Ray. He was
preceded in death by his father, Stewart Croft.
Nearly everyone who came in contact with Bob and
Kim were drawn in and became one of the family. He
impacted the lives of so many, we cannot name them
all. He loved his kids and grand kids and took great
pride in their accomplishments. He loved a cold beer
and sharing it with a good friend. He loved life and
was always looking forward to the next great adventure.
There will be a viewing and visitation on Friday, June
17, from 4 to 7 p.m. at Herring Groseclose Funeral
Home. Funeral services will be held in the Chapel of
Herring at 10 a.m. on Saturday, June 18, with officiants
Tom Smith of West Valley Missionary Church in
Yakima, and Skip Prichard of College Place Presbyterian
Church. Memorial contributions may be made
to Walla Walla Hospice or the Rocky Mountain Elk
Foundation thru Herring Groseclose Funeral Home,
315 W. Alder, Walla Walla.