Robert Welty Raphael of McCleary WA passed away Wednesday, August 31st, in his home at the age of 78. Robert Raphael was born February 9th,1944, in Elma Washington to John Carlton (Pete) and Dorothy Evelyn Welty Raphael. He grew up in McCleary with one older brother, John, and one younger brother, Mike. He married Sandra Jam in 1964 and had two sons, Bill in 1965 and Randy in 1967. Bill now lives in Mustang OK with his wife, Sheryl. Randy now lives in Portland OR. Bob later divorced and married Lola Mae Churchill in 1978. Lola brought 6 children to the union: Cindy, Julieanne, Don, Patty, Steve, and Shawn. Bob loved them all as his own. Together, Bob and Lola had two more children: Bobby in 1979
and Mary in 1983. They raised their children first in Elma and then later in McCleary at Bob's parent's home he had inherited in the early 90's.

Bob was an automobile mechanic. There were very few machines he could not fix. He worked for a while at the Bremerton Shipyard repair shop and then several other shake mill and mechanic jobs in and around the McCleary area before ultimately establishing his own garage at his home around 1995. In the 70s, for several summers, he would travel to Morland KS to help his Aunt Opel and cousins bring in the wheat harvest by driving a combine. Bob's hobbies included hunting, fishing, and tinkering in his shop – he was beginning to teach himself how to make knives with his home-built coal-fired forge. Bob had many many friends and was known for his quick wit and innocent insults. His greatest love, however, was his grandchildren. He could not get enough of their laughs and hugs.

Bob is survived by his brother, Mike Raphael, of McCleary WA, 10 Children, 18 grandchildren, and 9 great-grandchildren. Bob was preceded in death by his wife, Lola Raphael, his brother, John Raphael, and his parents, Pete and Dorothy Raphael.

To share memories or to leave a condolence for the family, please visit www.harrisonfamilymortuary.com. Arrangements entrusted to Harrison Family Mortuary.