Robert Michael Chambers, 79, passed away peacefully the morning of November 14th in Lakewood, WA.

Born in Bakersfield, CA to George and Eloise Chambers on February 13, 1945, Bob was the eldest of four children. His father was in the Army, and Bob spent his younger years in Boise, ID, Edmonds, WA, and then onto Portland, OR before settling in Beaverton, OR. Through those moves three more children would be added to the Chambers family; John, David and Carol. In high school Bob worked for his father who was the regional finance manager for Chrysler. He was the envy of his schoolmates as one of the perks was getting to drive different cars almost every week. Bob graduated from Franklin High School in 1964.

Bob had a lifelong passion for boats, so it comes as no surprise that he spent most of his career building them. He built and oversaw builds ranging from custom yachts (his favorite) to Government ships such as the Polar Sea, Polar Star, military gunboats, and pilot boats.  He also obtained his Captain's license, which gave him the opportunity to deliver boats to customers in Mexico, California, Canada and Alaska.  On multiple occasions he was even able to take his family along for deliveries.

Bob's career brought him and Linda together in 1981 when they met while both working at Tacoma Boat. Bob had just returned from Jamaica where he was doing maintenance on one of Tacoma Boatbuilding's ships, and Linda was an assistant to the GM of the propeller division. They fell for each other quickly and were married April 24th, 1982 and had two children; Brian (1984) and Lindsey (1987)
When Bob wasn't working you could find him competitive downhill slalom skiing, water skiing or fishing. Bob competed in downhill salom skiing for many years and won numerous trophies. When it wasn't snow ski season Bob was behind a boat slalom skiing every chance he could get, and he waterskied into his 70s. Fishing was another one of Bob's favorite hobbies. Him and his son Brian spent many fishing seasons at Mineral Lake competing in the fishing derby, as well as salmon fishing in the Puget Sound and Ilwaco. Though there were a few questionable bar crossings in and out of Ilwaco, they had some amazing memories and big salmon to show for it.

Bob was also an avid backyard gardener. Every spring he would plant seeds and plant starts. In 1983 he won 1st place at the Puyallup Fair for his perfect corn and largest zucchini, which he was pretty proud of. It was the first and only time he entered veggies in the fair so it was pretty special to him to come home with two blue ribbons. This past spring was the first year in 45 years that he was unable to physically prepare his garden.

Bob shared his love for the outdoors and his adventurous spirit with his wife and both of his children through many camping trips up in the mountains and along rivers, weekend cruises and parades on the Trojan boat that he restored with the help of his father-in-law, and his favorite, elk hunting in the Colockum. He loved the holiday season, and each year he decorated the Trojan with more Christmas lights than the previous year and participated in the annual holiday boat cruise in Tacoma.
When it came to hunting season, Bob could be found in the hills of the Colockum. He hunted there for most of his adult life and could guide you through that area blindfolded. As much as he loved hunting, what brought him the most joy was the time spent with family and friends during each hunting season. Drinks around the fire, collecting firewood, and building the "Bob Mahal" each season are a few memories that people who have spent hunting seasons with him will cherish. He created many memories and traditions with his family that will be carried on.

Bob is survived by: his wife of 42 years Linda, his children: Brian (Danielle) Chambers, Lindsey (Larry) Moll, and Michael Chambers; and his brother: John (Kathy) Chambers.

Please join us for a service in his honor at 12:00pm on December 7th at New Tacoma Cemetery in University Place, with a reception to follow.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation.