Papa's Memorial

Robert E. Donahue, Sr

1923-2013

Click on the links to hear Bob's favorite music (and some of ours, too).

My father-in-law, Bob Donahue, passed away last weekend in Walla Walla.

He was born a little over ninety years ago in the town of Essex Junction, Chittenden County, Vermont.  

Rena

William Charles Donahue

He was the son of William Charles Donahue and Rena Margaret Flaherty. His mother died when he was five years old and he was raised by his grandparents, Michael Frank and Elizabeth (Pilon) Donahue, in Jericho, Vermont. 

On leave in Jericho, VT, with buddies in the service. Bob is on the left.

Bob in uniform.....he has his wings.....

A B-17 and its crew.....(see more about the B-17 and its men here)

In 1942 he joined the Army Air Corps and served stateside until 1945. He contracted encephalitis just before his squadron was sent overseas and was too ill to accompany the men with whom he trained. He served as a radio operator gunner on the B-17. He was stationed at Gowan Field, Boise, Idaho, during training, where he met Ruby Elaine Speirs. 

They were married September 4th 1943 at Boise. Robert attended college at Boise Junior College and, later, enrolled at the University of Idaho where he received his BS in education. He later received his MA in education with a minor in administration from the same university. He was the director of music and English at Fairfield, ID; Washtuchna, WA; Connell, WA, and University High School, Spokane Valley, WA. He was principal of White Pass High School, Randall, WA, as well as Rosalia High School. He retired in 1973, due to recurring health problems from his wartime illness. 

Wife, Elaine, with Bob, Jr., and Kathleen.

Bob, Sr., in teaching days.

All the Donahue men were soldiers. Bob, Jr., U. S. Army, Vietnam Vet.....

Jeffrey, U.S. Navy, also saw service in S.E. Asia.

University High School Marching Band, Spokane, about 1965

University H.S. Chorus

Elaine and Bob, Sr., at Randall.

The Donahue home, for many years, in Spokane Valley. Elaine passed away in 2009.

Backyard at the valley home.....many happy times...... 

Bob and Elaine, portrait taken about 1983. They celebrated their 50th Wedding Anniversary in 1993. 

Happy reunion........

"An Irish Prayer"

May the road rise up to meet you,

May the wind be always at your back,

May the sun shine warm upon your face,

And the rains fall soft upon your fields.

And, until we meet again may God hold you in the palm of His hand.

God be with you until we meet again.....