Merlin D. Bosch
August 30, 1936 - August 14, 2019
Obituary
Merlin Bosch
Merlin Bosch passed away peacefully from cancer on August 14 with family by his side.
Merlin was born 1936 in Akaska, So. Dakota. He moved to the Seattle area with his family at age 7 and spent his formative years in south Seattle graduating from Cleveland High School in 1955.
Merlin was preceded in death by his first wife Andra Traverso Bosch, his parents George and Emma Bosch, sister Shirley, brothers Rolly, Harvey, Dean, and Harlen.
Merlin enjoyed a rewarding and successful career in sales with Murray Pacific Steel. He played fast pitch softball for 40 years and was inducted into the NW Hall of Fame. He coached girls’ softball at Mt. Rainier and Cle Elum high schools. He coached boys’ basketball and soccer at St. George, on Beacon Hill. His sport portfolio included tennis, golf and pickleball in his retirement years.
Merlin’s love for family is his greatest legacy and continues as an inspiration for his three daughters – Debbie (Casey Gravel), Tammy Cimmery, Dawna (Darrel Tarrant) and seven wonderfully devoted grandchildren, Cole, Laura (David Kohke), Garrett, Kristi, Donni, Amanda (Mike Dracaby), D.J. , brothers Doug and Gary Berg,
brothers-in-law Andy (Carlene) Traverso, Gary Traverso, sisters-in-law, Margaret Bosch, Enid Bosch and many, many dedicated nephews and nieces.
Merlin is also survived by his wife Della McCleary and her children Lori, Kyle (Shelley) and Cheryl Bateman, four grandchildren and a super great granddaughter.
Godspeed Merlin – you have left us all with beautiful memories. We will miss you dearly.
A celebration of life will be held at Bonney Watson, on Wednesday, August 21 at 12:00 following burial beside his mother and father
We love and will miss you Papa!
We have so many wonderful memories of the Softball days and all of our travels. A big hug to everyone from both of us. Our hearts go out to you. Farewell, Mugs.
You have always been such a nice grandpa, and I have so many wonderful memories with you over the past sixteen years. I was 13 and so happy to have a grandpa in my life again. I always appreciated you being there to talk and to listen, telling jokes and stories and making me laugh. Even though we’ve been separated by many miles these past few years, I always look forward to coming home to Seattle and seeing you for Christmas, summer vacation and meeting my Margot for the first time. I’m so sad can’t be there now. Sending love. Kelsey
Thank you for being such a great grandfather over the years. I’ve always admired how upbeat and positive you are, welcoming anyone and everyone with a smile and open ear. I’ll miss the times we all spent together at the ocean; I’ll always remember how you would endlessly throw tennis balls for our dogs Royce and Cooper, with an unmatched patience I can only ever hope to have, and the card games we played together. Wish I could be there.
Love you Dad….All the Way to MarDon and Back!!!
Had a lot of good times at Cleveland High and being his neighbor for at Genesee street and playing fast pitch
Ron had fun with Merlin at the Boeing Tennis Club joking around and playing tennis. He was a good friend. We will miss seeing him around the Club.
I was fortunate enough to have Mr. Bosch as my basketball coach for several years at St. George. Not only was he a good coach but an even better person. Mr. Bosch was kind, patient and positive which wasn’t easy when dealing with a bunch of rambunctious 12 year old boys!
Thoughts and prayers to the entire Bosch family.