Robert Wayne “Bob” O’Connor, 90, passed away Tuesday, Oct. 11, 2022, at St. Peter Hospital in Olympia following a short illness. Bob was born July 14, 1932 in Centralia, Washington, to Howard and Arlene (Hoff) O’Connor.
He was raised in Centralia. Following high school, he enlisted in the U.S. Army. He proudly served from 1952 to 1954 during the Korean War and was honorably discharged in 1962.
Bob worked for Sears for a time before going to work for Wayne’s Photo Finishing (Qualex) on National Avenue in Chehalis, Washington. As operations manager, he traveled to the company’s plants in various states. His responsibilities there included meeting with plant managers, dealing with equipment purchases, and implementing training programs. Bob retired in 1998 after 35 years from the home base of Qualex, located in the Chehalis Industrial Park.
He and his wife Rosie enjoyed their motorhome and camping trips (especially in Chelan,) boating, fishing in Seiku, hunting, and snowmobiling with friends. Bob loved the Lucas Creek area. This was a favorite place to spend time with friends in his younger years and was the location of the farm he purchased after leaving the Army.
Bob is survived by his wife of 42 years, Rosie O’Connor; daughter Cristi (Brian) Bradford; granddaughter Nikki Helmick; brother Mike (Barb) O’Connor; niece Kathy Lynn (Jerry) Wilson; son-in-law Steve (Pamela) Helmick; sister-in-law Rocky O’Connor; sister-in-law, Lubbie O’Connor; daughter-in-law Delyn Andersen; stepdaughters Becky (Maurice) Economou, Cindy (Bill) Tahl and Natalie Hieronymus; grandchildren Steve Marshall, Tami Verd, T.J. (Troy) Hieronymus, Brandon (Elaun) Hieronymus, Adam (Jacy) Tahl, Millie (Kendall) Larson, Brett Economou, Nic (Aleighia) Andersen, Kanan Andersen and Dustin (Jamie) Schmit; and related great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents Arlene and Howard O’Connor, daughter Carol Wood, brother Richard O’Connor, stepson Terry Andersen, and grandson Bradley Economou.
A celebration of Bob’s life will be held at 1 p.m. Monday, Nov. 14, 2022, at the Gathering Place located at 617 NW West St. in Chehalis.
