Charles Robert (Bob) Varner was born Feb. 17, 1923, to Donald and Hannah Murry in Vancouver B.C. and passed away Aug. 31, 2015 at Mountain Meadows in Leavenworth.
When Bob was six, his father died. His mother married Joe Varner and that was the name Bob used from then on.
The Varners moved to Seattle where his father was a racehorse trainer. Bob was put on his first horse at about the age of 10. After the 6th grade, his dad fell sick and Bob quit public school to support his family. At 15, never being asked if he was of legal age to ride (16), he became a jockey. He raced at Seattle’s Longacres; in California at Santa Anita, Del Mar and Bay Meadows; in Caliente, Mexico; and in Omaha, Neb. His favorite horse was Olimpo. He rode personally for Bing Crosby for a time. In 1939 at the age of 15, Bob rode against Seabiscuit in an exhibition race in California. While in California, he roller-skated with Judy Garland.
In the summer of 1942, while swimming in Seattle, he saw a pretty young girl and told his friend, “I am going to marry her.” Bob and Elinor Plant were married Oct. 10. Being a Canadian citizen, Bob could not enlist in the U.S. military when WWII broke out, but was later called up. He served in the 19th Mounted Cavalry. They phased out the horses and it became the Mechanized Cavalry with tanks. He was a supply sergeant and scout in Europe. Upon his honorable discharge, he was given his American citizenship and also the choice of the last name he wanted to use legally; he chose Varner. After returning from Europe, Bob rode for another year. In 1947, he went to work at Westinghouse in Seattle, learning to repair small appliances. This helped him start his own repair business in the home. He worked in Bothell at Nims Electric and then managed Bellevue Appliance and TV. In 1970, Bob returned to Longacres and worked in the mutual window. In the winter, he worked at Yakima Meadows where he was in charge of the jockeys’ room. Bob retired in the late ‘80s. In 1979, Bob and Elinor — with help from their three sons — started building their log home on Whidbey Island. Many family gatherings were held there. All were welcome to come and enjoy the homemade bread and pies Bob and Elinor made. Bob was preceded in death by Elinor, his wife of 69 years, in January 2012.
He is survived by sons Steve (Patty) Varner of Leavenworth, David Varner (Lilly Ann) of Leavenworth and Doug Varner (Vitalia) of Bellevue; granddaughters Jenny Green and Denise Varner, both of Norman, Okla.; grandson D.J. Varner of Bellevue; and great-grandchildren Dylan and Makenna. The family wishes to extend our heartfelt thanks to the staff of Mountain Meadows for the loving care dad received, especially during the last few days.
A memorial service to honor Bob will be held at 2 p.m. Friday Sept. 18 in the Mountain Room at Mountain Meadows Assisted Living, 320 Park Ave., Leavenworth. Ward’s Funeral Chapel, Leavenworth is assisting with the arrangements.
