Rev. Dr. Robert R. Washer (STH ’48)
This obituary was originally published the Dignity Memorial and can be found here.
Robert “Bob” Ralph Washer was born May 31, 1924 to Margaret Alplanap and Ralph Thomas Washer in Scranton, PA. As a young man, he was active in sports and obtained the rank of Eagle Scout. After graduating from Scranton Central High in 1942, he received a scholarship to Duke University where he graduated with a degree in Sociology in 1945. Before entering Boston University School of Theology, he attended a summer program at the University of Oslo. While in Europe, he visited Zermatt, Switzerland where he climbed the Matterhorn.
After graduating from Theological Seminary, he became an associate pastor for the First Methodist Church in Long Beach. Later, he moved to serve as minister for the First Methodist Church in Garden Grove until 1968. In 1953, while visiting Yellowstone Park, he met Dawn O’Brien. Dawn was studying to be a teacher at Baylor University. Bob, entranced by this lovely, smart young woman, took it upon himself to make sure she got a teaching job near him in California. The couple married in 1954, and eventually had four sons: David, Drew, Greg and John. Bob had many inspiring moments in his life. In 1966 he oversaw the completion of building the beautiful Garden Grove United Methodist church, which still has one of the largest pipe organs in California. Because of his strong convictions, he answered the call of Martin Luther King, Jr. and traveled to Selma to join the Freedom March.
Balancing their commitment to service and to their family, Bob and Dawn, who were adventurers at heart, took a three-month trip around the world. Bob and two other ministers were invited to spend a week with Albert Schweitzer at his hospital in Lambarene, Gabon.
Upon their return, Bob helped establish an endowment at Chapman University which has helped hundreds of students over the years. For his efforts, Bob received an Honorary Doctoral Degree from Chapman. After serving the Church for 20 years, Bob decided to spend more time with his family. He and Dawn chose Corona del Mar as their new home and moved in 1968. Later Bob bought a motel, expanded the property, and created the Sandpiper Motel in Costa Mesa. Bob was an avid tennis player and was a member at the Balboa Bay Club for many years.
He continued to serve the community and was proud of his work with such organizations as the Newport Harbor Exchange Club and their support of The Prevention of Child Abuse Services. Bob and Dawn continued their love of traveling and he later took up lawn bowling. Bob was an enthusiastic and committed gardener and had a reputation for growing the best tomatoes! Bob died peacefully at home with family present on January 8, 2022. He was preceded in death by his granddaughter, Phoebe, and his loving wife of 65 years, Dawn. He is survived by his four cherished sons, six grandchildren, and two great-grandsons.