Robert G. "Bob" Renner

July 22, 1936 - October 30, 2020

Robert G. Renner of Issaquah, Washington, passed away peacefully on Friday October 30, 2020 at Timber Ridge, a community that became home and where he especially loved the mountain view. He was 84. Bob was born on July 22, 1936 in Dayton Ohio to Robert and Fay Renner. In his early years, he was in his element learning about auto and boat mechanics, and loved working alongside Pop Benoit, his grandfather and mentor. At the young age of 16 Bob accomplished no small feat; he built a boat to take out on the Ohio River. It was a project that would lay the foundation for many others to come. As a young man, Bob attended the University of Dayton, and during his senior year met Lois Thesing, who became his wife in February 1961. They were married for 57 years until Lois passed away in May 2018. They had three children, Barbara, Susan and David. Throughout his career as a financial executive, Bob thrived as a change agent while working with struggling companies. Together, Bob and Lois followed Bob’s career opportunities and moved their family to places where everyone could grow and thrive. From Ohio to Indiana, to Illinois and Pennsylvania, and finally to California, he was an unwavering provider for his family with a very strong work ethic. Bob was always keen to live near a body of water, and upon moving to Chicago for a position at Keebler Company, he was able to convince Lois that it was time to buy a boat. Most summer weekends were spent on Lake Michigan waterskiing through choppy waters and teaching his young children how to get up on skis. Bob loved being out on the water and continued captaining that boat with his family and friends for years, on the Ohio River and on Chesapeake Bay. Upon moving to California in 1979, Bob developed a passion for the wine industry. He so enjoyed visiting Napa Valley and hosting wine tasting parties, and eventually when he and Lois moved to Washington, he began making his own blends in partnership with nearby Patterson Cellars. In retirement, Bob enjoyed traveling with Lois and taking his dream boat, “The Big Toy,” out on San Francisco Bay; participating in Corvette Club driving tours; meeting up with college and longtime friends in various cities across the U.S.; and adventuring through Alaska, Europe, New Zealand and Australia. Bob was “a man with a plan” and will always be remembered for his strength and courage, his devotion to family, his passion for fixing just about anything, and his constant drive for achievement. Bob is survived by his daughter Barbara and her husband Geoff Jarman, daughter Sue and her partner Bruce Burroughs, son Dave and his wife Lisa, and his four grandchildren Rachel, David, Justin and Bryce. We will miss him dearly but will forever feel him in our hearts and hear his voice telling the stories he loved to tell.