Robert John McCaffery
What do you remember about Robert? Share your stories and photos here, and invite others to come share their memories.
Robert John McCaffery was born in Sprague, Washington (WA) on November 20, 1933 and passed away in his home in Anacortes, WA on July 27, 2022. He was preceded in death by his wife Carol to whom he was married for 61 years. Also preceding him in death were his parents and six of his eight brothers and sisters. Eileen Hein of Davenport, WA is his only living sibling.
He was also preceded in death by his son Chuck who passed away in 2018 (wife, Elizabeth). Robert's other son Bob (Kathy Garde) and daughters Irene Jensen (Jim) and Karen Mantell (Rob) will always remember their dad for being a role model and a hard worker. He was a lover of nature who loved bird watching, seeing sunsets and looking for agates when he was walking on the beach. He was a person who knew how to create love and a strong sense of family.
When talking about family, Robert definitely knew how to "create". He was proud to have 14 grandchildren and 28 great grandchildren. Even until his last month, he personally handmade birthday cards for each of his 42 grandchildren.
In his younger years, Robert enjoyed being a Boy Scout and only missed his Eagle medal by one merit badge. In high school, he was elected ASB president, lettered 13 times and earned the senior sports medal for the career best athlete. He was also voted "Most Popular Boy". Eastern Washington College gave him a football scholarship and Robert also played jayvee basketball for the Savages (now Eagles).
Robert was also very proud to have served his country by being a soldier in the U.S. Army. He and his wife were stationed in Germany and often talked about the good memories made while living and traveling in Europe.
Many people in Anacortes and other towns knew Robert as "Coach" or "Mr. McCaffery". He was a school teacher in Wilbur, WA and in Davenport but moved to teach in Anacortes in 1967. He was a sixth-grade teacher at Mount Erie, Anacortes Middle School and the bulk of his career was at Island View Elementary. He also coached basketball at his church, St. Mary's Parish, when they had a school team.
When a teacher at Island View, he was also a flag football and basketball coach. Highlights of his coaching career were taking teams to LA Conner's Swinomish tourney, which really was the Skagit County championship. He truly loved his players and students. He enjoyed seeing and greeting them as adults and he usually had a story or memory that he could share with each of them.
Chris Rosman, Robert's nephew (who is actually like a little brother), wrote about his Uncle as his hero:
I know when he became my hero
He was the person I wanted to be most like
I wanted to be as popular as him
I wanted to be as athletic as him
I wanted to be as loved as him
I'll never be able to attain what he has achieved but having a hero like him has made my life what it is today.
These exact same sentiments are shared by Robert's children and his whole family who will uphold their Dad and GrandDad as their hero too. His students and athletes will never forget their special coach and teacher.
No funeral date or memorial service for Robert is immediately planned. His family thanks Hospice of the Northwest for greatly helping with their Dad's care. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to the Island Hospital Foundation.
To share memories of, please sign the online guestbook at www.evanschapel.com/obituary/robert-mccaffery