Robert "Bob" M. Barkhurst, Jr

Our brother Bob “Robert M. Barkhurst, Jr”, passed on February 2, 2016. Born to a career Navy man Robert “Bud” Barkhurst, Sr. from Oregon and his Australian born wife Ruth, Bob spent his early years in South Kitsap with his four siblings.

Most passionately in a boat on the water, he was happiest either tearing up the water with neighborhood friends, with a fishing rod in his hand, or messing with cars – a 1955 Chevy being his first. He was never far from the sea. His early work was at Domsea Farms in Manchester. In the early 1980’s he hired on at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard until his retirement in 2014. Fishing, shrimping and his love of the Olympic Mountains were always on his mind.

“Bobby, Bob, Hurst and Bark” he was called throughout his life of 62 years. His death resulted from years with the disease alcoholism, smoking and their deadly consequences. That calm winter day at 3:27 pm, he took his last breath. We say that being a Chevy man, 327 was an appropriate time. Most who knew him will remember him as a kind, generous man with a twist of stubborn.

Bob’s remaining relatives include Suzanne and Bernard Holland, Terry, Cathy (Dunn), Allison and Albert (Soda) Barkhurst, Sandy and Rick Verhelst, cousins from Portland and Eugene, Oregon, and nephew Reg Hankinson, and family in West Australia. Bob also leaves friends and neighbors. In his small circle, you were many. Our heartfelt thanks to the compassionate care given him at the Stafford Ridgemont Care Center in Port Orchard.

A reception is planned on March 26, 2016 at his home in Bremerton - 3888 Brook Lane, Lake Symington - from 3:00 to 5:00 pm. After which his ashes will be spread, releasing him to the sea.