Robert "Bob" Leo Kane

On July 23, 2023, Robert (Bob) Leo Kane, 76, of College Place, WA, passed away from advanced kidney disease. He wished not to do any medical heroics but to die peacefully at home with guidance from hospice. Bob was born on February 12, 1947, to Robert and Margaret Kane in San Francisco, CA. After graduating from Westlake High School, he joined the Navy and served two years during the Vietnam War on the USS Enterprise as a firefighter. After his discharge from the Navy, Bob started working for Product Development Corporation as a foreman. In 1970 he met Ronnie. They were friends then, and several lived in a house in Daly City, CA. That friendship grew, and he was in love with Ronnie and wanted to marry her and be a father to her daughter. On June 8, 1974, Bob and Ronnie married in a chapel in the small town of Minden, Nevada.

Bob loved to fish! He fished every chance he could. Rain or shine, weekday or weekend, Bob was out fishing. He also had a love for fireworks. Every year he would spend months designing and creating fireworks displays. Many people would come all over the Bay Area to watch Bob’s presentations.   Bob suffered a massive aneurysm in the summer of 1989. He was given a 2 percent chance of survival. As stubborn as he was, Bob bet the odds and then some. In the fall of 1995, Bob and Ronnie moved to College Place, WA, to be near their daughter. Here he started new friendships at the Adult Day Care program at the Senior Center. He enjoyed telling his fishing stories and learning new hobbies, such as painting. Bob spent 3 ½ years up to his death living at Brookdale Assisted Living in College Place. He made many friendships and loved to sit outside for hours soaking up the sun.

Bob was preceded in death by his parents, Robert and Margaret Kane; Sister, Marilyn Paache; and beloved nephew, Adam Kane. He is survived by his wife, Ronnie Kane of College Place, WA; his daughter, Debbie Forsyth (and her husband, David Forsyth); granddaughter, Emilie of College Place, WA; and his brother, Steven Kane of Henderson, NV.