Robert Verlee Linderman
August 31, 1951 - April 14, 2006
Obituary
Rob Linderman passed away at Swedish Hospital surrounded by his family on Friday morning, April 14, 2006 at the age of 54. Although he was diagnosed with Non Hodgkins Lymphoma in 2004, Rob continued to live life to the fullest despite the cancer. Rob was born to Cleon and Wanda Linderman on August 31, 1951 in Seattle, grew up in Centralia, WA and in 1973, received his B.A. in Parks & Recreation from Central Washington University. That same year, he became the Director of Parks & Rec for the City of Hoquiam and also married his first wife, Kathy. In Hoquiam, Rob was very much involved with Special Olympics and also had the great pleasure of refereeing high school and jr. college basketball.
In 1978, Rob took the position of resort manager of the Thousand Trails preserve in Chehalis. He was promoted to Regional Director of west coast T.T. preserves in 1982 and lived briefly in Sacramento, CA. From there, Rob moved to Issaquah in 1983 and worked in the Thousand Trails home office as Regional Director and ultimately as Senior Vice President of Resort Operations for the entire company. In 1988, Rob married Linda Garberg Condit and settled in Bellevue. In 1998, Rob and Linda moved to Ilwaco, WA where they owned and operated Eagle’s Nest Resort until 2002. After a brief move to Welches, OR where they operated Mt. Hood Village Resort, Rob accepted the position of General Manager of the Trendwest Worldmark resort in Seaside, Oregon in 2003 where he remained until his death.
Rob had many passions including fly fishing and fly tying, sports, cooking, his family, friends and his faith. As a young boy, he was very interested in airplanes which led to his obtaining his pilot’s license on his 16th birthday even before getting his driver’s license. Rob played football in high school in Centralia and then at Central Washington University. The passion for football continued throughout the years and it was with great pride and pleasure that he coached his youngest son, Chris, in PeeWee, Pop Warner and middle school football. All four of his children, Ross, Amy, Chris and Lisa were the light of his life and he was immensely proud of each of them. Words cannot describe how much he was loved and cherished in return by his wife and children.
Rob is survived by his wife Linda, as well as Ross, Amy, Chris and Lisa along with brothers Walt and Charles Linderman, and many aunts, uncles, nephews, nieces, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, son-in-law, daughter-in-law and a host of friends who knew and loved him. In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Rob Linderman may be made to Swedish Medical Center in Seattle. A celebration of Rob’s life will be held at 1:00 pm Saturday April 22 at the Mill Creek Foursquare Church which is located at 1415 164th St. SW Lynnwood, WA 98037. A reception will follow at the Edmonds Yacht Club. All are welcome to both.
Please accept our sincere condolences. We will miss Rob dearly. He truly was a remarkable man, bringing humor and laughter to everyone he touched. We will cherish our many fond memories of Rob.
Sincerely, Rod and Steph
Linda,
Very sorry to hear of Rob’s passing. Though I had not seen either of you for a long time, I still have great memories of you both.
Take Care.
Kathleen Wical
So sorry to read of Rob’s passing. I met Rob when I was also a student at Central. We lived in the same dorm. I remember him as being very nice and for his love of football. Our lives never crossed after leaving Central, so it was good to read of his very successful life and that he has a wonderful and loving family.
Take care.
With Heartfelt Sympathy,
Mary Ellen
If ever there were a greater boss, more generous and understanding boss, I have no idea where you would find him. Rob was everyones friend and had the rare ability to see something from every angle possible. As one of his employees I can honestly say that Rob never made a decision that wasn’t fair and honest. He was also one of the most honest and fun loving people I have ever had the great privilage to know.
You will ALWAYS be an intrigal part of Trendwest and of our lives here at Trendwest. We are honored to have been part of your team and “family”.
I have known Rob since we were children in Centralia. Our fathers and then Wanda were on the School Board together.
As a young man in school, he was respectful, honest & hardworking.
Rob and I lost contact after Central. I last spoke with him when he was with Thousand Trails.
My sincere condolences at the loss of a fine person.
We are so sorry to hear of
Rob’s passing.
Glenn and I worked with Rob at Thousand Trails in the early 80’s. Glenn was Director of Administrative Services and I was Administrative Assistant to Bob Mayes in Sales and Marketing. We remember so many good times with Rob and the crew from “Trails.”
To the dear family and friends of Rob:
It was my pleasure to work with Rob during the installation of the WorldMark resort at Seaside. My memories of this gentle man are very fond. Rob was always cheerful and fun. He always had something positive to say, was gracious and a sincerely generous and nice man. He will be missed by all of us at WorldMark and Trendwest. His life was a blessing and all who knew him were happier because of him. My sincere sympathy and condolences to his loving family and friends.
God Bless you Rob.
Gail Evans
Linda – As you know, I’ll be working so Jane & Dirk can attend the service but I’ll be with you all day in spirit. Will look forward to seeing you and sharing a hug in a couple weeks or whenever you are ready to reach out.
Love to you and your family, Connie & Gary
Knew Rob and Linda at Thousand Trails. Rob was a terrific guy with no pretense. Always happy and quick with a smile. The guy could set a hell of a pick! My deepest condolences to Linda and the kids.
Rob was a good guy who will be missed by those who had the pleasure to know him. Our time at 1000 Trails and the opportunities that he provided for me are warmly remembered and sincerely appreciated. My condolences to Linda and all of their loved ones.
While I didn’t get to participate in all the adventures, Rob’s name always came up as one of the leaders and great friends. He’ll be missed but remembered accordingly.
Chris,
Coach tom here, I was so saddened to read in the papers about your Father’s passing…I am so sorry that I have lost touch with you, your Mom, and Rob…He was a great supporter of ALL that you represented well in sports and life, Chris…Between his support and your Mom’s guidance through your high school years and college I am sure your life has evolved well… Please don’t hesitate to give me an email sometime so we can visit…Bo and my Family send our deepest condolences to you and your Family…Take care, Chris, God Bless you and keep you safe…Coach tom
My husband and I attended school with Rob here in Centralia. Just want his family to know how sad it was to here of his passing, he was always a nice guy and he will be missed…We will be thinking of his family at this time of their loss of a loved one Robert and Debi Mitchell
I remember the grade school years. We both went to Oakview School and then continued through grade 12. I know Rob will be missed and I am sorry for his loss.Sincerely, Elaine Gelder Jenkins
With Deepest Sympathy. Karen.
Rob was my boss, my teacher, my fly fishing partner and freind. So proud of being the craziest person I ever knew. An incredible ability to make time for laughing even in the toughest times. Surely one of the strongest people I have ever met. Also one of the most loved people I have ever met. Everyone loves Rob. I will miss him.
All my love to you Linda and the entire family.
We are so sorry to here of Rob’s passing. We remember many good times from our days in school. We will keep you, his family, in our prayers.
I remember Rob as having a great sense of humor, and carrying my books for me up the stairs at Centralia H.S. when I’d had surgery on my knee. He was a great guy; wish we could have stayed in touch over the years. What a great reunion we’ll all have, when we greet each other in Heaven! To the family: you all have my heartfelt sympathy, and are in our prayers. May God give you special strength, comfort and peace.
I had recently found out about Rob’s passing,I had attended Centraila High at the same time as he. My deepest sympathy for his family and friends.
Brandy Robinson
I am a high school classmate of Rob. Although I have lived away from the Pacific Northwest for the past 30+ years and have not stayed in touch with many of my old friends, I knew Rob well in his youth and considered him to be a very kind and genuine person. I always admired Rob for his convictions — he seemed to know what he wanted from life and he stayed true to his beliefs and principles. I always knew Rob would be a great father and that family would be his priority. He was a good example to me and I’m not surprised that Rob has had a positive influence on the lives of others.
Best wishes to you.
Sincerely,
Ed Dean
It is difficult to capture in a few words the tremendous virtues that one person can deliver to so many people. His devilish smile will forever be etched in our hearts and minds. Here is to the Great Polar Bear who left a Legacy of Life for all of us to embrace. I do have one question though, what about 5 in the key when playing basketball did Rob not understand? My sincerest heart-felt prayers are with you Linda and your wonderful family. Rich.
I am so very sorry to hear of your loss. I went to High School in Centralia with Rob. He will be truly missed by the class of 69.
Sincerely, Nancy
Sorry to hear about your loss. I graduated with Rob 1n 1969. We were the last class to graduate from the old Centralia High School.
Sincerely, Allan Foglesong
Rob Linderman and I attended Central Washingon University together. We attended Recreation classes together, enjoyed snow skiing and Yakima River floating with our Quigly Hall friends, and we became close friends. Rob was a tremendous college football player too! It was most certainly a privilege and a pleasure to know Rob. I have been in contract with several of Rob’s college pals. We are all most sad to see loss of a REAL Character and close friend. Good by Rob!
I’m so sorry to hear about Rob. We went to Oakview Elementary School together in Centralia and on through high school.My deepest sympathy to the family;
Sincerely, Karla Weakley Dye
I was so sad to hear of Rob’s passing. I was so surprised when we stayed in the Seaside property last April and in the check out process here comes Rob with a big hug and that huge smile that was always present. Rob was a special person that will be missed by many.
Linda and family please accept our sincere condolences.
Mike and Kathy Fish
Dear Linda,
I was one of Rob’s nurses at Good Sam last year, and was also able to see him at Seaside a few times. He was so sweet to me and my family – I called him last October in hopes of finding a last-minute room for the Astoria Bridgecrossing, and he put me and my husband Tom up in one of the penthouses for a night – and it was free! He was such a wonderful man in that way. But he was also a joy to take care of, and I feel lucky to have been able to go some of the distance with him and you, and your son who read Greek between football games. Rob was so willing to work at getting better and stronger, and God knows, deserved to live a long life. I only hope that your memories of him are as sweet, and that you remember how much he wanted to come home and just live his life with you.
Many of us nurses at Good Sam Cancer Care Unit shared our fond memories of Rob when his obituary arrived. You would have loved to hear all the kind words on his behalf.
Linda, take good care. I will miss that man – you found a really good one!
Melanie Kemper