Robert Collins Walton was a Christian, a husband, a father, a highly sought after counselor and a friend to many. Bob died on January 8th, 2024, at the age of 75 in Aberdeen, WA after a nearly three-year, hard-fought battle with pulmonary fibrosis. At his passing, he was surrounded with his family, and precious friends.

Bob was born in Perry, Iowa on July 11th, 1948, to parents Harold Amos and Mildred Emily Collins Walton. Bob was the youngest of four brothers, David, Jim and Richard. After the death of their parents, Bob and his brother Richard moved to Dennison, Iowa to be included in the family of Lorne and Susan Sherman. There they became brothers to Mary Patricia (Sister Angela Marie) and Marie Alice Sherman.

Upon graduating High School Bob enlisted into the Navy and set out to serve his country. After his time in the Navy, Bob traveled the U.S. in his VW bus, living life to its fullest, until it all crashed, leading him to Drain, Oregon, where he moved into the home of Bill and Joyce Mentor, who became like parents to him and also like grandparents to our family. It was there in Drain that Bob had a life changing encounter with Jesus, and met the love of his life, mustang Sally.

After marrying Sally in 1973 they moved to Eugene, Oregon where they had two children, Laura Emily Walton, and Patrick Robert Walton. It was there in Eugene that Bob graduated from the University of Oregon with a Master’s in Psychology and for the next 35 years Bob would devote his life to helping others in the field of counseling, working until a month and a half before his death. Bob was dedicated not only to his clients, but also to researching anything he could find that would be helpful.

As a lifelong University of Oregon Ducks fan, Bob loved attending home games at Autzen Stadium with family and friends, watching Tootsie, Close Encounters of the Third Kind, mixing up chocolate cake and half and half, and laughing at any chance he got. Bob was an incredible listener and enjoyed hearing and laughing at the stories of close friends, as much as he enjoyed telling stories.

Bob was passionate about music, specifically playing his guitar, usually for a couple of hours every night, and on countless worship teams. Outside of his family, Bob’s true passion was for Jesus, spending all his mornings and evenings reading the Bible, theological books, and in prayer. From Dr.’s that Bob worked alongside to fellow counselors, the testimony regarding Bob is that his character was outstanding, his work ethic was unmatched, and his love for people was felt by everyone around him. The legacy that Bob has left will reverberate within this life, and in eternity to come. Only time will tell how many people were changed through Bob’s life.

He is survived by his beloved wife, Sally; their two children, Laura (and husband Josh) and Patrick (and wife Jennifer); his brother Richard (and wife Pam); sister Mary Patricia Kuzmak; grandchildren, Emma, Phinneas, Anna, Winston and Jeremiah; numerous nieces and nephews and many other beloved family members and friends whom he loved and by whom he will be missed.

A celebration of life will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, February 17, 2024, at Calvary Chapel, 114 W. Marcy Ave., Montesesano.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donation be made to Sally Walton.