Robert "Bob" Frederick Lonneker

With his loving and much-loved children and his devoted wife of 54 years, ArLeen, holding his hand, Robert Frederick Lonneker slipped away tranquilly at home in Laguna Woods, California, on August 20, 2022.

He was born May 6, 1934, to Reta Markham Lonneker and Neal Augustus Lonneker. Descended from a long line of Walla Walla County wheat farmers and early settlers—even pre-dating Marcus Whitman, he was born at St. Mary Hospital shortly after 6:00 a.m. A bevy of hospital nuns anxiously awaiting his birth—classmate friends of his mother from Walla Walla's old St. Vincent Academy—were, to the priest's significant displeasure, all made late to morning mass until after Robert's arrival.

He began his education at Clyde, an old country school 30 miles north of Walla Walla; whereas its only students at one time, his young siblings and he briefly closed the little school down by staging a walkout. Because of the children's schooling, the family moved to town, where he attended seventh grade through his senior year (finishing as student body president), graduating in 1952 from Walla Walla St. Patricks High School. Majoring in Business Administration with a minor in Banking and Finance, he went on to Washington State College, to which he remained exceedingly loyal, especially to its football programs and as a Cougar Club member, WSUs Presidents Circle. He was appointed by WSU President Glenn Terrell to the Washington State University's Presidents Round Table. After retiring in later years, he monitored law classes "for fun" through the University of Washington in Seattle.

His previous marriages included Becky Teal in Walla Walla in 1954 and, later, Mary Cousins in Walla Walla in 1957.

He was Chairman of Washington's Fifth Congressional District Republican Club, Walla Walla County Republican State Committeeman, and served on both the Walla Walla County and Washington State Republican Central Committees as well as on the Washington State Republican Executive Board and Washington State Republican Finance Committee. Once drafted by the 5th District GOP to run for Congress, he ultimately had to decline due to business and family responsibilities.

A "born farmer," neighbors used to say such things as: "Robert Lonneker could walk into a field scattering tomato seeds and end up with the best-looking wheat crop in the country." Farming in Walla Walla and Benton Counties for more than 30 years, he was cited in The Congressional Record as being the third largest farmer (volume-wise) in the United States. Paul Harvey delightfully featured him on his national program once for his having "arrested" nearly 200 head of cattle for "trespassing" and hauling them all 35 miles to the sheriff at the county jail in Prosser. Problem solved: no more neighbor's cattle continually breaking the fence down destroying his crop.

President of the Walla Walla County Farm Bureau and President of the Walla Walla County Wheat Growers, he also served on the Washington State Association of Wheat Growers executive board for some years. Governor Dan Evans also appointed him to his "Governor's Task Force on Rural Affairs," an advisory position Robert held throughout most of Evans's three terms. Continuously inventing, developing, and improving, he established design specifications for machinery, which became industry standards. For efficiency and cost-cutting purposes, he devised and built major agricultural equipment and structures for his own use.

After a freeze-out one year followed on its heels the next year by a devastating drought along with some other "perfect storm" events, he retired in 1985. After enjoying life lived over Lake Washington in Seattle for four years; he moved to Spokane to start up a sod farm and develop family property there.

While he had a number of interests, Robert's favorite hobby was flying his own twin-engine airplane, even taking delivery of one at the Piper factory in Vero Beach, Florida. Having lost too many friends to unlikely crashes, if it weren't a twin with almost every kind of instrument and equipment possible on it, Robert didn't want it.

His primary interest, however, was first, foremost, and always his children. Nothing could have brought him more pride or more joy. In these latter years, grandchildren and their accomplishments have brought him constant pleasure as well.

In Sun Valley, Idaho, on July 5, 1968, he married ArLeen Patterson Leonard of Pomeroy—embarking on a "forever honeymoon" as he described their marriage to the day of his death. With an intensity that never dimmed, he spent more than 54 years deeply loving her—and she, him. Although she's been an invalid many years now, as much in love as ever, he's been by her side tirelessly, caring for her every moment.

He is survived by his adoring wife, Joy ArLeen (McCanse Patterson) Lonneker, at their home in Laguna Woods, CA; daughters Toija Angelique (James) Fitzgerald, Irvine, CA; Laurel Ann (Byron) Opendack, Honolulu, HI; Suzette (Alan) Krebs, Spokane, WA; son Frederick Neal Lonneker, Walla Walla, WA; stepson Kenten Leonard, Pomeroy, WA; foster daughter Sharon Gossett, College Place, WA; sisters Gayle Shoun(Steve), College Place, WA; Joyce Wheat, Danville, CA He also leaves behind eight grandchildren: Jennifer, Stephanie, Spring, John, London, Margeaux, Anthony, and Tate.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Reta Casey and Neal Lonneker; daughter and son-in-law Terri Jean and Daniel Bishop; stepson Lance Leonard, and brothers Terry, John, and William Lonneker, all of Walla at the times of their deaths.

Internment with a graveside service will be at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, September 1, 2022, in his wife's family's (McCanse) plot in the Pomeroy City Cemetery. With his strong faith and trust in the Lord Jesus, Christian family and friends can look forward to seeing him again one day.