Robert Bence Hurst peacefully passed away in his sleep April 24, 2016 at Sullivan Park Assisted Living. He was born in Chewelah, WA on July 21, 1926. He was preceded in death last year by his wife of 57 years, Virginia Louise (Faw) Hurst; his parents, Friend Cook Hurst and Clemencia (Stirn) Hurst; son Larry Hurst; brothers, Benjamin Hurst, Fred Hurst, George Hurst, John Hurst; and a sister Helen (Hurst) Cammock. He is survived by his children, Ken Hurst (Barb) from Astoria, OR, Teresa Anderson (Cliff) from Sula, MT, Kent Hurst (Cindy) from Clam Gulch, AK, Mike Hurst (Jill) from Newman Lake, WA, Randy Hurst (Melisa) from Spokane, WA. He was loved very much by his 10 grandchildren who thought he was pretty special: Brent Anderson (Jenn), Jennifer Cobia, Darren Anderson (Daniela), Isaak Hurst (Collyn), Maryna Hurst, Kelsey Duer (Carl), Kyle Hurst (Jenn), Tarin O’Day (Nick), Hailey Hurst and David Hurst. His 12 great-grandchildren thought the world of him and loved to come visit him.
Robert (Bob) grew up in Chewelah and loved to play school sports and hunt with his best friend, Frank Zeihan. When he was a senior in high school he was drafted into World War II before graduation. The school did issue diplomas to all those who were drafted. Bob chose to serve his country in the Navy. He ended up being assigned to the U.S.S. Proteus A.S. 19, a submarine tender, where he was a radioman for the number two and number four 20mm twin gun turrets.
Bob stood at attention on the Proteus as it was anchored off the Missouri when the unconditional surrender of the Japanese was signed September 2, 1945. After being discharged July 2, 1946, he returned to Chewelah and ended up owning his own service station. He later turned to driving truck for various companies and also was a car pilot where he made many life-long friends. His CB handle was “Thunderbird.”
He met and fell in love with Virginia and they married July 26, 1958 and they lived on 39th Ave. in Spokane for 57 years. For many years they loved to travel by motorcycle across the United States and Canada, usually camping along the way. Later they turned to traveling in a motor home with Virginia’s brother and sisters and documenting their adventures with many photographs. Bob was also a “rock hound” and took many family vacations rock hunting and would make jewelry with his treasures. His yard displayed many of his finds.
Even though he will be missed very much by his family and friends, he is happy to once again be with his loving wife whom he missed so much this last year.
Graveside services were held at Chewelah Pioneer Cemetery in the Hurst Family Plot in Chewelah, WA on Saturday, April 30, 2016. Family and friends met after the service at the Chewelah City Park.
Hazen & Jaegar Valley Funeral Home was in charge of the arrangements.