Robert Edwin Major

Robert Edwin Major died May 18, 2008 at the Hospice Care Center in Bremerton, WA. He was born on August 9, 1920 to Basil K. and Helen Jane (Cartmell) Major in Cranston, RI. Bob spent his childhood in Wickford, RI, later moving to Columbus, OH and graduating from North High School in 1937. He served in Europe during WWII as member of the 9th Air Corps, 404th Fighter Group. After the war, he studied at Georgetown University in Washington DC and earned a degree in Foreign Service. He worked for the government in Washington DC and in Montreal for several years. He then worked for many years as an editor for McGraw Hill in New York. Bob moved to Seattle to be closer to his parents and sisters, working again as an editor, for the U of W Dept. of Publications. There he earned a degree in Fine Arts with an emphasis on sculpture. After Bob retired, he joined his sister, Betty, in the care of their blind mother until her death. Retirement gave him time to pursue his many interests. He was a talented artist, gardener and writer. He enjoyed writing Haiku poetry and published several collections of his poems. He also won several national and international Haiku awards.
Bob was a Quaker, a member of the Haiku Society of America, the Kitsap Co. Dahlia Society and was instrumental in establishing the Peace Park in Seattle. He lived a life of simplicity, generosity, and kindness and will be greatly missed by his sisters, nieces, nephew, their families and many, many friends. Robert is survived by two sisters, Helen "Betty" Major of Poulsbo and Mary Jane Leche and her husband The Rev. Edward D. of Friday Harbor; nieces, Mary DeLong of Olympia, WA, Jane Leche of Lakewood, CO and Martha Leche of Encinitas, CA; nephew, Edward Leche of Poulsbo, WA and their families. A Memorial service will be held on Wednesday, May 28 at 1:00 PM at Seabold Hall, 14454 Komedal Rd, Bainbridge Island, Washington.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be sent to Hospice of Kitsap County, PO Box 3416, Silverdale WA (designate the Hospice Care Center), the Agate Passage Friends Meeting, PO Box 1821, Poulsbo, WA 98370, or a charity of your choice.