Robert DEIFE Obituary

January 4, 1926 - January 18, 2025

Spokane - Robert Deife "Bob" passed away on January 18th, 2025, in Spokane, WA, at the age of 99. Bob was born on January 4th, 1926, in Odessa, WA. He graduated from Odessa High School in 1943. He married Marcine Hardung, also of Odessa, in 1949. He was a lifelong member of the Heritage Church of Odessa, working with the Sunday school and serving as a Church trustee. He was a Past President of Odessa Lion's Club, Grange Supply of Odessa, Lincoln County Wheat Growers, a 30-year member of the Spokane Ag Bureau, a Past Master of the Odessa Masonic Lodge, a member of the Scottish Rite of Freemasonry and El Katif of Spokane and a lifetime volunteer in the Republican Party. In 1969, he was appointed by President Nixon to serve as the Washington State Executive Director of the Agricultural, Stabilization and Conservation Service (ASCS) and was reappointed by Presidents Ford, Reagan and Bush, serving 20 years in that position.

Bob grew up on the farm without any modern conveniences. He stated, "we had to grow what we ate and take care of the animals that were dependent on us." He quickly learned that there are things bigger than himself - the seasons, life, death and disappointment. As a child he was taught to work hard and be resourceful. He loved to travel and with his late wife of 54 years, Marcine, traveled to 29 foreign countries and much of the United States, studying the area's history and culture. He enjoyed working with cattle, vegetable and flower gardening, playing cards, his family and watching his grandchildren grow up. After the passing of his wife in 2004, he and Mary Ann Lenhardt "Buzzy" became close friends and companions.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Wilhelm and Louise (Hemmerling); his wife, Marcine; his brothers: Emil, Arthur, Harold, Henry, John, Walt and William; his sisters: Martha, Elsie, Ruby, Lorene and Esther; and great-granddaughter, Cassandra Evavold. He is survived by his children: Linda Deife of San Diego, CA, Julie Deife (Robert) of Corrales, NM, William Deife (Jayne) of Odessa, WA, Mark Deife (Helen) of Las Vegas, NV, Jan Deife of Ritzville, WA, and Jean Lewis of Davenport, WA, grandchildren: Jill Evavold, Thomas Winfrey, Cameron and James Stevenson, Miles and Connor Deife, Lauren and Kristen Kane, and Jackson Lewis; great-grandchildren: Kayla McVicker, Damon and Booker Stevenson, and Nova Stevenson; and numerous nieces and nephews.

A Service in Memory will be held at the Heritage Community Church in Odessa, WA, on February 1st, 2025, at 11 a.m., with burial services at the Odessa Cemetery immediately following. In lieu of flowers, the family requests any memorial contributions to be given to the Heritage Church of Odessa or the Odessa Historical Museum.