Funeral homes often submit obituaries as a service to the families they are assisting. However, we will be happy to accept obituaries from family members pending proper verification of the death.
Robert “Bob” James Kummer, 77, of White Salmon, Wash., passed away on May 30, 2024, in his sleep. Born in Scottsbluff, Neb., he was the sixth of nine children born to Henry and Pauline. He graduated from Lyman High School (Nebraska) in 1964 and joined the National Guard soon after. He and Mary followed his older siblings to Washington State as newlyweds when he took a job with Simplot Soil builders and became the youngest manager for Simplot at that time.
He started farming near Othello, Wash., on his own in 1974. He was proud of his award-winning potatoes and even made the cover of “Washington Farmer-Stockman Magazine.” After retiring from farming in the mid-1990s, he and Mary moved to White Salmon in 2002. He still made frequent visits back to the farm to check on it … and also to catch up with neighbors, friends, and family.
He loved golfing with his wife Mary, his son Dean, brothers and friends, traveling, spending time with his kids and granddaughter, going to Hawaii every year, and telling stories. Bob enjoyed driving and showing off his 1962 Chevrolet Impala Supersport “Goldie” with Mary. Bob also loved helping and taking care of people and spent a lot of time shoveling snow for neighbors, running errands, helping with their yard work, and chatting up strangers anywhere he went. He always had a way of making people feel comfortable and smile. He was known for fixing anything and everything, usually with “duct tape, baling wire and WD-40.”
Bob is survived by his wife of 56 years, Mary; son Dean and his wife Becky; daughter Kristy and her husband Dan; and his only and favorite granddaughter Sonya. He is also survived by siblings, Clarence (Norma), Fred (Rose), Henrietta, Mary and David (Robin), along with many nieces, nephews, and friends. He was preceded in death by his mom and dad, twin sisters Sharon and Karen, and brother William.
A celebration of life will be held on Aug. 17 (time to be determined) at Valley Christian Church in Hood River, Ore. In lieu of flowers, donations are requested to Tunnel to Towers Foundation (t2t.org/), Wounded Warrior Project (support.woundedwarriorproject.org), or a charity of your choice.
Mary I was so sorry to hear of Bobs passing. I always enjoyed it when I met you and Bob when I was out shopping. We seemed to go to the same stores even in Portland. Bob was always cheerful and helpful. He will be greatly missed by all. My prayers are with you and your family.
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Mary I was so sorry to hear of Bobs passing. I always enjoyed it when I met you and Bob when I was out shopping. We seemed to go to the same stores even in Portland. Bob was always cheerful and helpful. He will be greatly missed by all. My prayers are with you and your family.
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Keep it Clean. Please avoid obscene, vulgar, lewd, racist or sexually-oriented language.
PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK.
Don't Threaten. Threats of harming another person will not be tolerated.
Be Truthful. Don't knowingly lie about anyone or anything.
Be Nice. No racism, sexism or any sort of -ism that is degrading to another person.
Be Proactive. Use the 'Report' link on each comment to let us know of abusive posts.
Share with Us. We'd love to hear eyewitness accounts, the history behind an article.