Robert Eugene Mckee

On Monday, November 4, 2019, Robert Eugene “Bob” McKee passed away after a short illness at the age of 93 in Walla Walla.

Bob was born on November 29, 1925, in Arkansas City, Kansas to Daniel La Fayette and Lura Adline (Tate) McKee.  He lived in Arkansas City, Kansas until he enlisted in the Army during World War II.  He served in the 69 ^th Infantry Division in the European theater.  After the war Bob returned to his hometown in Kansas and finished his high school education and continued on to attend Cowley County Community College.  Bob then began work as a carpenter.  He also worked as an auto mechanic, owner of a few different bars, and played music with several different bands.

Bob loved to vacation in the Boise, Idaho area where his middle brother Clem lived.  He married young and had two boys, Robert Eugene McKee II was born in 1957 and Dennis Michael “Mike” McKee was born in 1959.  After a divorce he had full custody of his younger son, Dennis, and his older son, Robert, lived with his mother.  In 1973 Bob made his move to Idaho.  His older brother Elba was just retiring and was also moving from California to the Boise area.  This move would put the 3 brothers back together.  The brothers spent several years living close to each other.  These three were famous for being able to fix darn near anything when they were working together.  They all loved to go camping and fishing.  They loved riding their motorcycles, 4 wheelers, and 4 wheel drive vehicles while exploring the back woods.

In 1985 Bob married his best friend Nathelle.  He would tell me that this decision was one of the best ones he ever made.  The couple spent many happy years together and successfully blended their families.  They lived on Mill Road in Emmett, Idaho until Nathelle passed in 2017.  Bob then moved to Walla Walla to live near his son, Dennis and Kathy.  Bob was very proud of the fact that he maintained his independence as he aged.

Bob was preceded in death by his wife, Nathelle and oldest son Robert McKee Jr.  He is survived by his son Dennis (Kathy) McKee; grandson Steve (Natalie) McKee; and two grandkids.  Bob is also survived by Nathelle’s two daughters Shyla (Larry) Smith and Linley (Virgil) Stanger; numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

A Funeral Service will be held on Friday, November 8, 2019 at 10:30 am at the Herring Groseclose Funeral Home.  A short graveside ceremony with Military Honors will follow at Mountain View Cemetery.  Pastor Steve Morris will officiate.

Memorial Contributions may be made to the Blue Mountain Humane Society through the Herring Groseclose Funeral Home, 315 W. Alder Street, Walla Walla, WA 99362.