Robert (Bob) C. DeMessemaker lost his long battle with cancer on Jan. 20, 2006 at home surrounded by his family.

Bob was born on April 5, 1957 in Ludington, Mich. His father was in the Navy and that brought the family to Whidbey in the spring of 1975. He graduated from Oak Harbor High School with honors and four years of ROTC in 1976. After a short tour of duty in the Air Force he came back to Oak Harbor to make it his home, get married, and have two children.

Bob was well known as a great cook around the island, his witty sence of humor, and always had a practical joke to pull on someone or a funny joke to tell.  He later carried on his dream to travel and became a long haul truck driver to see the country in his 18 wheeler.

Bob is survived by his mother and step father, Linda and Fred Bishop at the family home in Oak Harbor; three sisters, Lori Traylor of Oak Harbor, Becky DeMessemaker of Everett and Jody DeMessemaker of Tacoma; two step-brothers, Fred Bishop, Jr. of Bellingham and Mike Bishop of California. He is also survived by his two children, Shawn and Amanda, and grandson Alec DeMessemaker, all of Oak Harbor; and various neices and nephews. He is proceeded in death by his father Don DeMessemaker and his grandparents on both sides of the family.

Graveside services will be held at Maple Leaf Cemetary on Friday, Jan. 27 at 1 p.m. A gathering will be held at the family home following the services. At Bob’s request please make any donations to Alaska Federal Credit Union to help his family endure the costs of his passing in lieu of flowers to an account he set up in his name.

Quote from Bob: “It’s 5 o’clock somewhere and Bob has left the building.”

He was loved by all who he encountered and will be greatly missed. We love you Bobby.